DE102009011054A1 - Process for treating bottles or containers with a treatment medium containing hydrogen peroxide - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for treating or sterilizing bottles or similar containers (2) with a treatment fluid (BF) containing hydrogen peroxide, which is introduced into the respective container (2) in an application phase.

Description

The The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of the patent claim 1.

to Sterilization of bottles or other containers, methods are known where in the respective container in a peroxide injection phase or application phase, a treatment fluid is introduced, which at least from a gaseous or vaporous carrier fluid, for example, from air, and from in this carrier fluid finely divided and / or evaporated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), so that at the palm of the respective container a film of hydrogen peroxide is formed, from which then activating, d. H. by heating a kill germs causing oxygen atoms are released.

Around to achieve a desired high rate of sterilization or quality, is sufficient separation of hydrogen peroxide at all Areas of the respective container inner surface required, even at hard to reach Areas of container interior surfaces containers the one of a usual Bottle or container shape have different shape.

Farther but is to achieve as possible high performance (number of treated or sterilized containers each Time unit) and to reduce the operating costs, the duration of the respective application phase per container as short as possible and the for the sterilization of a container needed Amount of hydrogen peroxide as possible to keep low.

task The invention is to show a method which makes it possible to even container with Undercuts or hard to reach areas on the container inner surface at short duration of treatment, especially in short duration of Application phase and if possible Low consumption of hydrogen peroxide with high rate of germ removal to sterilize.

to solution This object is a method according to the claim 1 formed.

Further developments, Advantages and applications The invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All are described and / or illustrated illustrated features for itself or in any combination in principle the subject of the invention, independently from their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims becomes a part of the description.

The The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. Show it:

1 in a simplified schematic representation of a station for the treatment of bottles or other containers with a hydrogen peroxide-containing treatment fluid;

2 and 3 Timing diagrams of the pulsed or pulsed delivery of the treatment fluid in different methods according to the invention.

The in the 1 generally with 1 designated station is used for treating or sterilizing bottles 2 or the like containers using a hydrogen peroxide-containing treatment fluid BF. The station 1 consists essentially of a treatment head 3 with a treatment tube projecting beyond the underside of this head 4 about which for the treatment of each bottle 2 in a Peroxidinjektionsphase or application phase, the treatment fluid BF is introduced, which at least from a gaseous or vaporous carrier fluid, for example from air or sterile air, as well as from the finely sprayed in this fluid (eg as an aerosol) and / or in vaporized form contained hydrogen peroxide.

The treatment head 3 is with a lead 5 for supplying the carrier fluid under pressure, e.g. B. with an overpressure of 1 to 4 bar and with a line 6 for supplying the aqueous and liquid hydrogen peroxide, for example a 15% to 35%, preferably 15% to 20% aqueous and liquid hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The carrier fluid is preferably air, for example sterile air.

The hydrogen peroxide-containing treatment fluid BF becomes in the treatment head 3 For example, formed by the carrier fluid carries the hydrogen peroxide at a spray nozzle and thereby the hydrogen peroxide in finely divided or atomized form contained treatment fluid BF is formed. Furthermore, the treatment head contains 3 For example, a heater for heating the treatment fluid BF to a treatment temperature, for. B. to a treatment temperature of 120 to 150 ° C, and for evaporation of the water content of the hydrogen peroxide.

Basically, the treatment of each bottle 2 for example, so that in the application phase, the treatment fluid BF in the respective bottle 2 is introduced so that on all areas of the bottle inner surface 2.1 a sufficient amount of hydrogen peroxide is precipitated, for example by condensation. In at least one subsequent activation phase is by heating the bottle 2 For example, by introducing the heated carrier fluid into the bottle 2 the hydrogen peroxide on the bottle inner surface 2.1 activated, for splitting off germicidal oxygen atoms or OH radicals.

The special feature of the treatment station 1 and the procedure carried out with this station is that the treatment fluid BF during the application phase, the duration thereof, inter alia, depending on the size of the bottles to be treated 2 about 2 to 3 seconds, or 2 to 5 seconds, across the lower, open end of the treatment tube 4 not continuously in the respective bottle 2 is introduced, but clocked or pulsed. For this purpose, be controlled by an electronic control device 7 , Control valves 8th and 9 at the treatment head 3 are provided for the carrier fluid and the hydrogen peroxide, during the application phase opened and closed synchronously.

It has been shown to be consistent with continuous injection of BF in the bottle a temporally steady flow with forming relatively stationary vortices, wherein the vortex from the peroxide diffusion the carrier fluid hinder on the wall. By transition on a pulse-shaped Injection that lasts just as long as a vortex stable has trained, and subsequent Interruption of the injection may be due to another injection pulse the disintegrating vortex - so the BF - from the front of the incoming pressure shock are pressed against the bottle wall.

The introduction of the treatment fluid BF into the respective bottle 2 takes place with overpressure, for example with the above-mentioned pressure of 1 to 4 bar. Furthermore, the pulse-shaped introduction of the treatment fluid BF in the respective bottle 2 so controlled that in every bottle 2 during the application phase depending on the size of the bottles 2 (based on ambient or atmospheric pressure) about 0.5 to about 3.5 liters of treatment fluid BF or carrier fluid in a proportion of about 200 to 1000 mg of hydrogen peroxide, preferably in a proportion of about 200 to 400 mg of hydrogen peroxide are introduced, wherein as hydrogen peroxide 15% to 35%, preferably 15% -20% hydrogen peroxide is used.

The 2 shows schematically in a time chart the pulsed or pulse-shaped introduction of the treatment fluid BF in the respective bottle 2 , In this diagram, 1 indicates the open state of the control valves 8th and 9 and thus the respective one in the bottle 2 introduced treatment fluid pulse represented by "1". With "0" the closed state of these valves and the rest time between two treatment fluid pulses are shown.

In the 2 is the duty cycle between the open and closed states of the valves 8th and 9 or between the duration of a treatment fluid pulse and the duration of the following rest period 1: 1. Other clock ratios are conceivable, for example, a duty cycle of 1: 2 or 1: 3 (valves 8th and 9 open / valves 8th and 9 closed or duration of a treatment fluid pulse / duration of the following rest period).

Duration of the opened condition of valves 8th and 9 and thus the duration of the respective treatment fluid pulse is, for example, in the range between about 100 and 1000 ms, preferably in the range between about 100 and 200 ms.

3 shows in a timing diagram the pulsed introduction of the treatment fluid in a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the introduction of the treatment fluid takes place in the respective bottle 2 in a first sub-phase of the application phase, again in the form of treatment fluid pulses, each with a subsequent resting time, for example with the above in connection with the 2 specified cycle ratios between 1: 1 and 1: 3 (valves 8th and 9 open / valves 8th and 9 closed) and with (opening times of the valves 8th and 9 and thus with duration of the treatment fluid pulses in the range between about 100 and 1000 ms, preferably in the range between about 100 to 200 ms. In a subsequent second sub-phase of the application phase is then carried out a continuous introduction of the treatment fluid into the respective bottle 2 ie in the form of a treatment fluid pulse having a pulse duration extending over the entire duration of the second subphase.

The first subphase includes, for example, 2 to 5 clocks, each of which clock of a treatment fluid pulse and a subsequent rest period, ie from an open state of the valves 8th and 9 and a subsequent closed state of these valves is formed. The remaining time of the total duration of the application phase is then available for the second subphase.

Depending on the size of the bottles to be treated, the total duration of the application phase is again about 2 to 5 or 2 to 30 seconds. Depending on the size of the bottles to be treated 2 is also in this embodiment, each bottle 2 during the application phase in total (based on ambient or atmospheric pressure) 0.5 to 3 liters of treatment lungsfluid BF with about 200 to 1000 mg, preferably fed with about 200 to 400 mg of hydrogen peroxide. As hydrogen peroxide we used 15% to 35% hydrogen peroxide, preferably 15% -20% hydrogen peroxide.

The pulsed introduction of the hydrogen peroxide-containing treatment fluid BF, a vortex formation of this fluid within the respective bottle 2 achieved so that during the application phase hydrogen peroxide even in hard to reach areas of the bottle inner surface 2.1 deposits in the required amount.

By the pulse-shaped introduction of the treatment fluid BF in the bottles 2 a significant reduction in the consumption of hydrogen peroxide can be achieved without limiting the quality of the sterilization of the bottles 2 or other container.

The treatment station 1 For example, part of a device of circulating design for treating or sterilizing the bottles 2 and is here along with a variety of similar treatment stations 1 on a rotatable about a vertical machine axis MA rotatable rotor 10 intended.

The The invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. It is understood that changes as well as modifications are possible without thereby the idea of the invention underlying the invention will leave.

So it is possible, for example, instead of the control valves 8th and 9 Other control devices or valves for controlled pulsed delivery of the treatment fluid BF in the respective bottle 2 or to provide another container.

Furthermore, the invention is not only for the hydrogen peroxide treatment of bottles 2 but also suitable for the hydrogen peroxide treatment of other containers.

1

treatment station

2

bottle

2.1

Bottles inside surface

3

treatment head

4

treatment tube

5, 6

management for feeding of the carrier fluid or the hydrogen peroxide

7

electronic control device

8th, 9

control valve

BF

treatment fluid

MA

machine axis

Claims (11)

Method for treating or sterilizing bottles or similar containers ( 2 ) containing a hydrogen peroxide treatment fluid (BF), which in an application phase in the respective container ( 2 ) is introduced, characterized in that the introduction of the treatment fluid (BF) during the application phase is pulse-shaped in the form of at least two temporally successive and temporally spaced apart by a rest time pulses. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the pulse-shaped Introducing the treatment fluid (BF) at least in a partial phase of Application phase in a constant duty cycle between the duration of the respective treatment fluid pulse and the duration the subsequent Rest time takes place, preferably with a duty cycle between Pulse duration and subsequent Rest period in the range between 1: 1 and 1: 3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that at least during a subphase of the application phase, the duration of the treatment fluid pulses and / or the rest period between two consecutive periods Treatment fluid pulses is changed at least once. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the pulse duration of the treatment fluid pulses about 100 to 1000 ms, for example about 100 to 200 ms. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a first subphase of the application phase, the treatment fluid (BF) in the respective container ( 2 ) is introduced in the form of treatment fluid pulses having a shorter pulse duration and in a second partial phase of the application phase in the form of at least one treatment fluid pulse having a greater pulse duration, preferably in the form of a single treatment fluid pulse having a pulse duration corresponding to the duration of the second partial phase. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the duration of the application phase is 2 to 5 seconds, preferably 2 to 3 seconds. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the treatment fluid (BF) using a carrier fluid, preferably with an overpressure from 1 to 4 bar is generated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the treatment fluid (BF) by sputtering of Hydrogen peroxide in a gaseous and / or vaporous carrier fluid and / or by evaporation of the hydrogen peroxide in the carrier fluid is produced. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that as hydrogen peroxide 15% -35% Hydrogen peroxide, preferably 15% to 20% hydrogen peroxide is used. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that as a carrier fluid Air, preferably sterile air is used. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the respective container ( 2 ) based on ambient or atmospheric pressure about 0.5 to 3.5 liters of treatment fluid (BF) are introduced, with a proportion of hydrogen peroxide of about 200 mg to 1000 mg, preferably with a content of hydrogen peroxide of about 200 mg to 400 mg.