DE102009008633A1 - Container sterilizing device for use in container treatment system, has transport unit for transporting containers along given transportation paths and treatment room, in which containers are sterilized - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for sterilizing containers (10), having a transport device which transports the containers (10) along a predetermined transport path (P1, P2, P3), and a treatment space (8) in which the containers ( 10) are sterilized, wherein the transport device (6) transports the containers through this treatment space (8), with at least one sterilization device (2) for sterilizing a wall of the containers, said sterilization device (2) having a generating device (4) for generating charge carriers and accelerating means for accelerating the carriers generated by the generating means (4) towards the containers (10) located in the processing space, wherein a gas pressure within the processing space is below a gas pressure outside the processing space.

Description

The The present invention relates to a device for sterilization of containers as well a plant for treating containers which such Having apparatus for sterilizing containers. In the area making drinks Industry is it usual become, plastic containers to produce by a glass process and then with a drink to fill. Especially for particularly sensitive drinks such as fruit juices, is it requires the manufactured containers, and in particular sterilize their inner walls.

Out In the prior art, various approaches are known to a to achieve such sterilization. For example, it is known the containers with a disinfecting gas, for example hydrogen peroxide, to act on. In younger Time is one, however, Such sterilization methods due to the required aggressive Avoid gases.

Therefore It is also known from the prior art for sterilization of the containers Use radiation and in particular electron radiation. such In this case, electron radiation devices have, as it stands out known in the art, a generating device for electrons on, such as a heated tungsten wire and a Acceleration device which accelerates the thus generated electrons, on.

there However, the problem is also known that in particular when accelerating or braking these electrons Bremsstrahlung in the form of X-rays arises. This X-ray radiation In turn, with very elaborate measures, such as with lead coats, be shielded. In turn, this shielding makes it more expensive the plants in their entirety. The amounts of shielding material, for example, the wall thicknesses for lead shields, dependent from the acceleration voltage used.

Of the The present invention is therefore based on the object, a device for sterilizing containers to disposal to provide, which in comparison to the prior art cheaper shielding gets along. Furthermore, it is known that such irradiation facilities usually also exit window for have an electron beam, in particular thin titanium window. These titanium windows represent highly sensitive wear parts, since they are made of one very thin Layer are made and also the cooling down very quickly heating titanium foils causes great difficulties. Another Object of the present invention is therefore, if possible to dispense with such titanium foils or output window.

These Objects are achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A inventive device for sterilizing containers and in particular of plastic containers has a transport device on which the containers transported along a predetermined transport path. Farther is provided a treatment room in which the containers be sterilized, wherein the transport device the containers transported through this treatment room. Furthermore, at least a sterilization device for sterilizing a wall and provided in particular an inner wall of the containers, these Sterilization device a generation device for generating carriers and an accelerating device, to that of the generating means generated charge carriers in the direction of the containers located in the treatment room to accelerate.

According to the invention the gas pressure within the treatment room under a gas pressure outside the treatment room. More specifically, preferably also the gas pressure outside the actual sterilization device under the gas pressure outside the treatment room and in particular below an atmospheric Gas pressure. This is a sterilization of the containers in a partial vacuum instead. This has the advantage of having a range the electrons are much higher within this partial vacuum as under atmospheric Conditions and in this way, in particular, the acceleration voltage the sterilization device can be reduced.

Prefers is in the device according to the invention or the sterilization device by heating a tungsten heating wire generated electron beam by a high voltage potential between accelerated a cathode and an anode and in a vacuum chamber through an electronic lens system to a precise beam bundled.

As a result of the procedure according to the invention, considerably higher jet streams can be achieved, since the sterilization device particularly preferably does not have an exit window such as a titanium window and, in addition, very fast activation of all required parameters is possible. Furthermore, by the procedure according to the invention, the throughput time of Be that is to say that the containers are reduced in terms of radiation, in particular to a time interval of less than one second, preferably less than half a second and particularly preferably to about 0.2 s. This means that overall fewer treatment stations are needed.

Especially Preferably, the gas pressure is below within the treatment room 800 mbar, preferably below 500 mbar, more preferably below 300 mbar and more preferably in a range of about 100 mbar.

One Another advantage of this arrangement is that largely on wearing parts the sterilization device can be dispensed with. In addition to the Cathode is essentially the only consumable part Aperture, through which the electron beam emerges from the sterilization device. Particularly preferred is such a lower panel of molybdenum or the like Materials made and particularly preferably edged in copper, Advantageously, this panel is cooled. The cooling is used in addition to warming through still to compensate for this aperture incident electrons.

Farther can by the procedure according to the invention the necessary Acceleration voltage below 100 kV, preferably below 80 kV and particularly preferably be lowered to about 60 kV. In such Acceleration voltages can elaborate lead sheaths for the entire system largely eliminated.

Preferably the device has deflection elements for deflecting the charge carriers. These deflection elements particularly preferably have electrically operated Bending and in particular coils on. With the help of these coils The electron beam can also be partially inside the container a desired one Be distracted position. These are particularly preferred Baffle elements - in particular in working mode - below a mouth edge or a mouth the containers to be sterilized arranged. More specifically, said deflecting elements, such as in other orientations of the containers, between the upper ones mouth edge and a bottom of the containers intended.

By the mentioned low acceleration voltages and at the pressure described above within the treatment room, which is in the range of 100 mbar the range of the electron beams still at about 200 mm, which in principle for the sterilization of the containers sufficient. The shielding of the "soft" X-rays in this case is also greatly simplified, so that, for example, steel sheathing in the range of 5-6 mm suffice. Lead cladding is not, as mentioned above required.

Of the Efficiency of such an arrangement is similar to that in use a very thin one Titanium windows in the range of about 90%, but also depends in detail from the beam current and the acceleration voltage.

at a preferred embodiment are arranged along the transport path of the containers execution rooms, through which the containers passed through be, with a gas pressure within these implementation spaces in the Transport direction of the containers decreases toward the treatment room. This means that preferred to the actual treatment room in the transport direction of the containers not immediately more atmospheric Pressure adjoins, but another execution space, already under is a predetermined partial vacuum and possibly even more Implementation rooms provided so that the vacuum in the individual lead-through spaces towards the actual Treatment room gradually increases. In each case, pumping units be provided, which act on the individual implementation areas with a vacuum.

The The present invention is further directed to a sterilizer for sterilizing containers and in particular directed by plastic containers. This sterilization device has a generating device for generating charge carriers and in particular of electrons. Furthermore, the sterilization device an accelerator to the from the generating means generated charge carriers in the direction of containers located in a treatment room to accelerate and a housing, in the generating means and the accelerating means are arranged. It is within this case a Vacuum in front and it's an opening provided, through which the charge carriers escape from the housing.

According to the invention is a Radiation path on which the charge carriers from the generating device on the container or to the container arrive, material-free.

Thus, it is also proposed with regard to the sterilization device that it does not have an exit window, such as a titanium foil, but the charge carriers or electrons exit from the sterilization device substantially unhindered in order to sterilize the containers. Preferably, at least one diaphragm device is arranged within the housing through which the charge carriers pass. So who preferably the electrons or the electron beam focused on this aperture device.

Preferably borders within the housing to the aperture device on two subspaces of the housing, wherein within the closer to the generating device located subspace a lower gas pressure prevails as within the farther from the generator subspace. This is a preferably within the housing gradually decreasing towards the exit of the electrons Vacuum provided.

at a further advantageous embodiment, the sterilization device a focusing device which focuses a charge carrier bundle. This focusing is, as mentioned above, in particular for a Passage through the mentioned Blen de or the mentioned aperture. Preferably, a plurality of said subspaces are provided within the housing, wherein a vacuum within these subspaces starting from the generator towards the exit opening decreases.

at A further advantageous embodiment is an acceleration voltage the accelerator device less than 100 kV, preferably lower than 80 kV, and more preferably less than 60 kV. To this Way, as mentioned above, on elaborate shielding measures against X-rays be waived.

at A further advantageous embodiment is inside the housing at least one control grid for controlling the output power of charge carrier intended. Thus, in this embodiment, the beam current no over controlled the emission of the cathode, but over a (almost inertia-free) Control grid, which has a very short switching time (of less than 1 ms), so that also a positioning of the container without an overload the bottleneck easily possible is.

The The present invention further relates to a system with a device of the type described above and a sterilizer of the above addressed type. Preferably, this system has downstream with respect to Sterilization device means for filling the containers with a liquid on.

The The present invention is further directed to a method of sterilization of containers and in particular directed by plastic containers, wherein the containers transported along a predetermined transport path through a treatment room and within this treatment room with a sterilizer be sterilized, the sterilization device charge carriers and especially electrons generated and in the direction of the containers accelerated. Meet in accordance with the invention the charge carriers on a wall of the containers and a path on which the charge carriers from a generator for the charge carrier to the container arrive is material-free.

Also through this material freedom can turn the necessary ones Acceleration voltages for the charge carriers be reduced.

Preferably is a gas pressure within the treatment room under the gas pressure outside held the treatment room.

Further Advantages and embodiments emerge from the attached Figures: show in it:

1 A schematic representation of a plant for treating containers;

2 a schematic representation of a sterilization device according to the invention; and

3 a schematic representation for illustrating a cleaning process for containers.

1 shows a schematic representation of a system for treating containers. In this case, by means of a feeder, such as a transport chain 50 Containers a single-time bike 51 fed. This single-time bike 51 causes a uniform division between the individual containers 10 and in turn leads this to a transport device 6 to. The transport device 6 here has a plurality of laterally extending projections 52 on, each causing a wall of the system a seal. The reference numerals P1-P3 refer to the transport path of the containers 10 , The projections 52 form with the wall of the system each Durchfuhrräume within which the internal pressure drops continuously. For this purpose are several pumps 56a - 56d provided, which continuously the interior up to a transport wheel 54 apply with increasing vacuum.

The reference number 8th refers to a treatment room in which again the (not shown) sterilization facilities are arranged. The pressure in the vicinity of the containers thus drops in the direction of the arrow P1 and reaches its minimum in the region of the treatment chamber or the arrow P2, and then increases again along the arrow P3 up to the atmospheric pressure.

To the transport device 6 closes in the embodiment shown here a forming device 60 to transform preforms into containers. At the in 1 shown representation are thus preforms in the transport device 6 sterilized. Accordingly, it would also be possible to sterilize already finished plastic containers and then to fill them. In this case, for example, to the transport device 6 connect a filling device.

This is how in 1 shown, preferably a plurality of locks provided along which the pressure in the vicinity of the containers is lowered continuously. The entire arrangement can be arranged within a sterile room.

2 shows a schematic representation of a sterilization device according to the invention 2 , This sterilization device 2 initially has a generating device 4 for electrons, like here a tungsten cathode. Via a control grid 32 , which if necessary also acts as an accelerating device, may be a stream of electrons in the direction of an anode 24 to be controlled. The anode 24 itself has a hole 46 on, which serves as a panel.

The reference symbol S refers to the beam path of the electron or the electron beam. The generating device 4 and the accelerator 24 are in a first room 16 within one in its entirety with 20 housed labeled housing. Within this first room 16 There is a pressure in the range of 10 ^-4 mbar. This space is through the said anode hole, which acts as a diaphragm against a second space 34 demarcated.

This second room 34 has a pressure level in the range of 10 ^-3 bar. The reference number 22 refers to a focus lens designed here electromagnetically, which causes the electron beam S in turn in the direction of another aperture 26 is focused. This further aperture 26 separates the second room 34 from a third room 36 from. In this third room 36 a pressure level in the range of 10 ^-2 mbar is provided. The reference number 28 marks another aperture leading to the third room 36 from a fourth room 38 demarcates. Within this fourth room 38 can use more focus coils 28 be provided, which focus the electron beam S again.

The reference number 42 refers to an opening in the housing 20 through which the electrons can escape from the housing substantially unhindered. In the area of the aperture 28 occurs a "crossover" of the electron beam. In addition, however, other "crossover" could be provided.

3 shows a schematic representation for illustrating a sterilization process within the container 10 , In this case, the reference symbol S again refers to the electron beam passing through an orifice into the interior of the container 10 arrives. The reference number 14 refers to a further focusing coil, with the help of the entry of the electron beam S in the interior of the bottle 10 is relieved. The reference number 12 refers to baffles (especially in the form of coils) which direct the electron beam to desired areas of the inner wall 10a of the container.

Thus, it is also proposed here that the electron beam is led out completely, in particular via the use of pressure stages in air. It should be noted that, especially at low pressures of 0.1 mbar and less, the electrons are so little scattered that when a surface is to be irradiated, this is possible only by an electromagnetic deflection. Through the focusing device 14 it is possible to increase the beam spot to reduce the power density in the beam spot. The deflection device 12 causes a deflection of the electron beam, so that it can be achieved that every mm ^{2 of} the inner surface 10a of the container can be traversed, thus the appropriate dose on the inner surface 10a is distributed.

More specifically, here the primary electron beam S is defocused and then with the deflection coil 12 and a high frequency in a circular motion across the ground 10c and the inner wall 10a emotional. A neck area 10d The container is preferably accessible by scattering of the electron beam, which in turn, as mentioned above, depends sensitively on the process pressure.

Another possibility would be that the focusing coil 14 can "breathe" the electron beam quickly, in other words, that the beam diameter of the electron beam is changed at a high frequency and in this way the irradiation of the inner wall in an up and down movement by increasing or decreasing the beam spot occurs.

In this case, this movement is preferably not linear, but according to the dose distribution. However, both of these movements could also be combined. In this procedure example, it would be possible to work with low acceleration voltages, for example in the range of 30-60 kV.

At the in 3 As shown, no rotational movement of the container, ie the PET preform or the bottle is required, but for example, only a simple increase to the container in the region of the two coils 14 and 12 to transport. However, since the individual parameters are not linear and also depend on the current air pressure, sensitive sensor devices are preferably provided in the interior of the treatment chamber to determine the air pressure exactly. Furthermore, a control device is also preferably provided, which is capable of the coils 12 with high clock rate and fast to drive.

It would also be possible, however, that the container 10 rotates and a scan of the inner wall is made here only in the longitudinal direction of the container ie from bottom to top. Furthermore, it would be possible for that in the treatment room 8th a nitrogen or argon or generally noble gas atmosphere is created to avoid oxidation inside the sterilizer (by the presence of oxygen). Thus, in addition to the generation device and the acceleration device, the sterilization device preferably has an electron bombardment gun, one or two focusing units, as well as an X, Y alignment unit and an X, Y deflection unit.

Furthermore, as known from the prior art, a high-voltage device with cathode heating is advantageously provided, wherein a jet current control can also be integrated. In addition, the device advantageously has at least one turbo vacuum pump and, in addition, additional large pre-pumps and, with particular advantage, also a fast CNC control system for a scanning process in the interior of the inner surface 10a to carry out the container as quickly as possible.

Preferably a corresponding device has a plurality of such sterilization devices in order in this way the throughput of the containers to be sterilized to increase.

All Features disclosed in the application documents are considered to be essential to the invention as long as they are individually or in combination with respect to State of the art are new.

2

sterilization device

4

generator

6

transport means

8th

treatment room

10

container

10a

inner wall of the container

10c

ground of the container

10d

neck of the container

12

Deflector

14

focusing

16

first room

20

casing

22

electromagnetic configured focus lens

24

anode

26 28

cover

32

control grid

34

second room

36

third room

38

fourth room

42

opening

46

Bore the anode 24

48

focusing

50

transport chain

51

Eintaktrad

52

projections

54

Transport wheel

56a-56d

pump

60

shaping device

P1-P3

arrows, transport path

S

beam path the electrons

Claims (14)

Device for sterilizing containers ( 10 ), with a transport device containing the containers ( 10 ) transported along a predetermined transport path (P1, P2, P3), and a treatment room ( 8th ), in which the containers ( 10 ) are sterilized, wherein the transport device ( 6 ) the containers ( 10 ) through this treatment room ( 8th ), with at least one sterilization device ( 2 ) for sterilizing a wall of the containers, this sterilization device ( 2 ) a generating device ( 4 ) for generating charge carriers and an acceleration device ( 24 ) in order to obtain information from the generation facility ( 2 ) generated in the direction of the in the treatment room ( 8th ) containers ( 10 ), characterized in that a gas pressure within the treatment space ( 8th ) under a gas pressure outside the treatment room ( 8th ) lies. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas pressure within the treatment room ( 8th ) below 800 mbar, preferably below 500 mbar, more preferably below 300 mbar and particularly preferably below 200 mbar. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized that the device deflecting elements ( 12 ) for deflecting the charge carriers. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the deflecting elements ( 12 ) have electrically operated deflecting elements and in particular coils. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the deflecting elements below a mouth of the containers to be sterilized ( 10 ) are arranged. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that along the transport path lead-through spaces are arranged, through which the containers ( 10 ), wherein a gas pressure within these passage spaces decreases in the transport direction toward the treatment room. Sterilization device ( 2 ) for sterilizing containers ( 10 ) with a generating device ( 4 ) for generating charge carriers and an acceleration device ( 24 ) in order to obtain information from the generation facility ( 2 ) generated in the direction of in a treatment room ( 8th ) containers ( 10 ) and with a housing ( 20 ) in which the generating device ( 2 ) and the acceleration device are arranged, wherein there is a vacuum within this housing and with an opening through which the charge carriers from the housing ( 2 ), characterized in that a radiation path on which the charge carriers from the generating device ( 2 ) get to the container, is free of material. Sterilization device ( 2 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that inside the housing ( 20 ) at least one aperture device ( 26 ) through which the charge carriers pass. Sterilization device ( 2 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the diaphragm device ( 26 ) two subspaces ( 34 . 36 ) of the housing, wherein within the closer to the generating device ( 4 ) subspace ( 34 ) there is a lower gas pressure than within the area of the generating facility ( 4 ) subspace ( 36 ). Sterilization device according to at least one of the preceding claims 7-9, characterized in that the sterilization device has a focusing device ( 22 ), which focuses a charge carrier bundle. Sterilization device according to at least one of the preceding claims 7-10, characterized in that an acceleration voltage of the acceleration device ( 24 ) is less than 100 kV, preferably less than 80 kV, and preferably less than 60 kV. Sterilization device according to at least one of the preceding claims 7-11, characterized in that inside the housing at least one control grid ( 32 ) is provided for controlling the output power of the charge carriers. Method for sterilizing containers ( 10 ) where the containers ( 10 ) along a predetermined transport path (P1, P2, P3) through a treatment room ( 8th ) and within this treatment room ( 8th ) with a sterilization device ( 2 ) sterilized, the sterilization device ( 2 ) And in the direction of the containers ( 10 ), characterized in that the charge carriers on a wall of the containers ( 10 ) and a path on which the charge carriers from a generating device ( 4 ) for the charge carriers to the container ( 10 ), is free of material. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that a gas pressure within the treatment space ( 8th ) under the gas pressure outside the treatment room ( 8th ) is held.