EP3356285B1 - Method and station for the treatment of kegs - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and to a treatment station for treating the interiors of KEGs equipped with a KEG fitting.

A method for the treatment of the interiors of each equipped with a KEG fitting KEGs and a corresponding device are known from EP 1 741 665 B1 known.

In the known case, a plunger is used to open the KEG fitting of the respective KEG arranged on the treatment head, which is moved in a treatment head axis relative to a treatment head housing, against which the KEG to be treated rests with its KEG fitting in sealing position. The disadvantage here is, inter alia, that for the movement of the plunger relative to the treatment head housing sliding seals are required, which seal the plunger to the treatment head housing and the due to the geometric conditions within the treatment head housing at least a lot of effort in the cleaning and / or disinfection of the respective treatment head require.

It is also known ( DE 10 2012 014 957 A1 ) to provide filling elements of filling systems or filling machines for filling cans each have a Abdichttulpe that is lowered before opening the liquid valve of the filling element on the opening edge of the can to be filled. A bellows seal enclosing a lower portion of the filler member is connected to an upper end with a filler housing and a lower end to the sealing collar. When against the edge of the can to be filled fitting Abdichttulpe is characterized between the outer surface of the Füllelementgehäuses and the inner surface the bellows an annular channel formed over the filling, inter alia, the displaced from the can return gas can be removed.

From the US 3,045,718 Furthermore, a method and a treatment station for the treatment of the interiors of each equipped with at least one KEG fitting KEGs with a treatment head is known, which has on a treatment head housing a contact and pressing element for tight fitting of the KEG fitting during its treatment. The contact and pressing element is moved during a delivery and Anpresshubes against the action of a restoring force. The plunger is not movable and opens the KEG fitting.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for treating the interiors of each equipped with at least one KEG fitting KEGs, which while avoiding the disadvantages of known methods or devices treatment with high reliability and using treatment stations and treatment heads with simplified constructive training allowed.

To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. A suitable for carrying out this process treatment station is the subject of claim 7.

Advantages of the method according to the invention and of the treatment stations used for this method include that hard to reach and only cumbersome to be cleaned and / or disinfected sliding seals between the respective opening of the KEG valve serving plunger and the housing of the treatment head are avoided and the opening The drive of the respective KEG fitting is displaced from the respective treatment head into a hygienically insensitive area. This alone results in significant improvements in the hygiene of the treatment head used.

The opening of the respective KEG fitting is carried out in the invention only when the KEG to be treated sufficiently tight, ie in sufficient sealing position with its KEG fitting on the treatment head, ie rests on a fitting system, which is movable relative to the treatment head housing Investment and contact element is formed. The opening of the respective KEG fitting is not carried out by an axial movement of the at least one plunger relative to the treatment head or the housing, but by a feed and Anpresshub, with which the KEG to be treated with its KEG fitting to the Treatment head or on the contact and pressing element and / or the entire treatment head is pressed with its housing to the KEG fitting.

The delivery and Anpresshub takes place, for example, in at least two partial strokes, wherein in a first partial stroke, the sealing layer of the KEG to be treated with the treatment head is generated. After reaching this sealing layer then takes place, for example, a leak test of the treatment head, ie the trained in the treatment head flow paths or flow channels and the connection between the treatment head and the KEG to be treated with KEG still closed and / or an external treatment of the relevant KEGs. Only in a further stroke of the delivery and Anpresshubes the KEG fitting of the KEG to be treated is opened by the plunger, which then protrudes increasingly in this Weiterhub on the fitting system, which evades against a restoring or spring force in this further stroke.

"Treating" means in the sense of the invention u.a. a treatment of the interior of the KEGs with different treatment and / or cleaning and / or disinfecting media, for example with water, with hot water, with at least one gas and / or vapor treatment medium, with at least one treatment medium containing H2O2, with inert gas, For example, CO2 gas, in particular with a pressurized inert gas or CO2 gas. "Treating" means in the sense of the invention u.a. also the flushing of the KEG interior with an inert gas preferably supplied under pressure, for example with sterile air and / or with a CO2 gas, the evacuation of the KEG interior and in particular also the biasing of the KEG interior with a pressurized sterile vapor or gaseous medium, in particular with a pressurized inert gas, for example CO2 gas and the filling of the KEG interior with the medium.

In a further development, a sleeve or sleeve-like seal may be provided in the treatment station, ie a seal with a hollow cylinder-like axial wall, specifically to form a gas path, for example a return gas path, towards the environment final flexible wall between the housing of the treatment head and the against the Restoring force movable contact and pressing element.

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function. Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

Fig. 1 - 3

jeweils in vereinfachter Schnittdarstellung einen Behandlungskopf einer KEG-Behandlungsstation mit einer Teildarstellung eines KEGs, in unterschiedlichen Betriebszuständen der KEG-Behandlungsstation;

Fig. 4

eine vergrößerte Detaildarstellung der Figur 1;

Fig. 5 - 7

Darstellungen ähnlich den Fig. 1 - 3 bei einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 8

eine vergrößerte Detaildarstellung der Figur 5;

Fig. 9

in perspektivischer Einzeldarstellung eine hülsen- oder muffenartige Dichtung des Behandlungskopfes der Figuren 1 - 8.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1-3

each in a simplified sectional view of a treatment head of a KEG treatment station with a partial representation of a KEGs, in different operating states of the KEG treatment station;

Fig. 4

an enlarged detail of the FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 5-7

Representations similar to the Fig. 1-3 in another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8

an enlarged detail of the FIG. 5 ;

Fig. 9

in a perspective individual view of a sleeve or sleeve-like seal of the treatment head of Figures 1 - 8 ,

The in the Figures 1 - 4 generally designated 1 KEG treatment station is used to treat equipped with a KEG fitting 2 large-volume containers in the form of KEGs 3. For the treatment, the KEGs 3 are arranged with their KEG fitting 2 above. Each KEG fitting 2 has the construction known to the person skilled in the art, essentially consisting of the fitting housing 2.1, from the riser 2.2 arranged centrally in the fitting housing 2.1 and from the annular valve body 2.3, which is biased by a compression spring in its closed position and this rests against valve surfaces on the fitting housing 2.1 and the riser 2.2. Between the fitting housing 2.1 and the riser a ring channel 2.4 is formed. When the KEG fitting 2 is closed, the dip tube 2.2 and the annular channel 2.4 are closed by the valve body 2.3.

An essential component of the KEG treatment station 1 is a treatment head 4, which is or the treatment head housing 5 is held on a machine frame, not shown, the KEG treatment machine and in which u.a. an axis coextensive with a vertical or substantially vertical treatment head axis BA arranged flow channel 6 is formed. Immediately on the housing 5 and thus also directly on the flow channel 6 are several media valves, i. in the illustrated embodiment, four media valves 7.1 - 7.4 provided whose valve seats are provided in the treatment head housing 5 in the immediate vicinity of the flow channel 6 and which are each arranged between the flow channel 6 and outer terminals 8.1 - 8.4. Furthermore, 5 additional media valves 9.1 - 9.3 are provided on the treatment head housing, which serve to control inner, formed in the treatment head housing 5 gas paths and in particular for the controlled connection of a formed in the treatment head housing 5 return gas path 10 with an outer terminal 11.

A special feature of the treatment head 4 shown as an embodiment, which is considered for the treatment of flat fittings, is that at the lower end of the treatment head housing 5, a plunger 12 is provided, which is designed as a bucket tappet or as a rotationally symmetrical, open at both ends hollow body and coaxially with the Axis BA is arranged. However, this structure of the plunger 12 is not mandatory. So plunger 12, which are provided for example for the treatment of basket fittings have a different, different structure. In detail, the plunger 12 shown in the figures, which serves to open the fitting 2 or the fitting valve 2.3 during the treatment of the respective KEGs 3, has a sleeve-like section 12.1, which projects into the lower, open end of the flow channel 6 and is held in this flow channel tight and relative to the treatment head housing 5 is not movable. To section 12.1 Subsequently, the plunger 12 has a funnel-like widening portion 12.2 and to this then a circular cylindrical portion 12.3 with an enlarged compared to the section 12.1 inner and outer diameter, which corresponds to the ring diameter of the valve body 2.3. With the section 12.2 and in particular with the section 12.3, the plunger 12 projects beyond the lower end of the treatment head housing 5 down.

A special feature of the treatment head 4 is that at the lower end of the treatment head housing 5, namely at a local, the axis BA concentrically enclosing circular cylindrical surface 13 an area enclosing annular housing part 14 is slidably guided with a sliding guide 15 in the direction of the axis BA. For this purpose, the housing part 14 is held in the illustrated embodiment in an outer retaining ring 16 which is arranged with its axis coaxial with the axis BA and on outer, with their axes oriented parallel to the axis BA guide pin 17 relative to the axis BA axially displaceable, and against the action of the guide pin 17 surrounding compression springs 18 which bias the retaining ring 16 and thus also the housing part 14 in a lower end position. The bolts 17 are held at their upper end on a further retaining ring 19, whose axis is also arranged coaxially with the axis BA and which surround the treatment head housing 5 on an outer surface, is connected to the treatment head housing.

20, a sleeve-like seal is provided, which surrounds the treatment head housing 5 in a ring-shaped manner at a lower area and is also arranged coaxially or substantially coaxially with the axis BA. With its upper reinforced annular rim or support element 20. 1, the seal 20 is held sealed on an outer surface of the treatment head housing 5, in the direction of the axis BA clearly above the housing part 14. With its lower, likewise reinforced annular rim or support element 20. 2, the bellows seal 20 held sealed to the housing part 14 and forms with this support element 20.2 at the same time the sliding guide 15. The treatment head housing 5 enclosing and between the support elements 201. And 20.2 extending wall portion 20.3 of the seal 20 is deformable in the direction of the axis BA.

By the housing part 14 and the seal 20 thus a wall is obtained, which is movable relative to the treatment head housing 5 in the direction of the axis BA without the need for an inner sliding seal and an annular space 21 encloses, in which the return gas channel 10 opens. The annular space 21 is open at a plurality of openings formed in the region of the sliding guide 15, but otherwise closed to the environment and also to the flow channel 6. At the bottom of the housing part 14, a centering tulip-like centering element 22 is held sealed, which u.a. also has a ring seal for the production of the sealing layer between the treatment head 4 and the relevant KEG fitting 2. The centering element 22 forms, together with the housing part 14, a sprung bearing and pressing element 23, against which the KEG fitting 2 of the KEG 3 to be treated rests in a sealed position during the treatment.

For the treatment, the relevant KEG 3 is held with a KEG-holder 24 engaging behind the KEG-fitting 24, with which the KEG 3 by a in the Fig. 1 - 4th Not shown lifting element in a delivery and Anpresshub from in the Fig. 1 shown starting position in sealing position on the treatment head 4 can be raised, in which then the KEG fitting 2, received in the centering element 22, tightly against the contact and pressing element 23 is applied.

In the illustrated embodiment, the respective held on the KEG holder 24 KEG is raised with the lifting element initially in a first partial stroke H1 in the direction of the axis BA such that on the spring-loaded and in this partial stroke H1 from the KEG fitting 2 against the effect the pressure springs 18 entrained contact and pressing element 23, the sealing position between the KEG 3 and the treatment head 4 is achieved, and still without opening the KEG fitting 2 by the plunger 12, with its lower edge still above the closed fitting Valve body 2.3 is located. This condition is in the Fig. 2 shown. In this state, for example, a leak test. In this case, by opening one or more media valves 7.1 - 7.4 of Flow channel 6, the annular space 21, the return gas channel 10 as well as the closed with the KEG fitting 2 and formed within the contact and Anpresselementes 23 space with a pressurized, preferably gaseous medium acted upon. With the help of in the gas paths 6 and 10 directly arranged sensors 25 and 26 is then checked whether a tight connection between the treatment head 4 and the KEG fitting 2 is reached. After completion of the first partial stroke H1, for example, in the sealing layer on the treatment head 4 arranged KEG in addition to leak testing or instead of the leak test rinsing of the interior of the treatment head 4 and the fitting room and / or an external treatment or cleaning of the KEG 3rd

For the actual treatment, in which an opening of the KEG fitting 2 by the plunger 12 is required, the relevant KEG 3 is raised in a further partial stroke or in a further stroke H2 with the KEG holder 24 so far that in this further stroke H2 the Investment and contact pressure element 23 is further moved by the applied in sealing position KEG fitting 2 against the action of the compression springs 18 so that finally with the over the bottom of the treatment head housing 5 projecting plunger 12 and with the lower edge of the fitting valve body 2.3 or the KEG fitting 2 are opened. In this in the Fig. 3 illustrated state is then carried out by appropriate control of the media valves 7.1 - 7.4 or 9.1 - 9.3 the treatment of the KEG interior, for example, first cleaning and / or sterilizing the KEG interior with corresponding over open media valves supplied and discharged treatment media. These are supplied, for example via the flow channel 6, the plunger 12 and the riser 2.2 the KEG interior and discharged via the annular channel 2.4, the annular space 21 and the return gas channel 10. Of course, the feeding of the respective treatment medium into the KEG interior can also take place via the annular channel 2.4 and the removal via the riser 2.2.

After a pretreatment is then carried out, for example, the filling of the respective KEGs 3 also in the in the Fig. 3 illustrated state, ie when opened by the plunger 12 KEG fitting. Here, the KEG interior is preferred first with a pressurized bias gas, such as inert gas (eg, CO2 gas), which is passed through the flow channel 6, the plunger 12 and the dip tube 2.2 in the KEG interior, for example, by opening a media valve 7.1 - 7.4, rinsed and biased. In the same way, the liquid product is then introduced via the flow channel 6, the plunger 12 and the dip tube 2.2 in the KEG interior, for which example, serving as a filling valve media valve 7.1 - 7.4 opened and closed again after reaching the required contents. The displaced by the inflowing inert gas inert gas is, for example via the annulus 21 and the return gas channel 10 controlled by at least one of the media valves 9.1 - 9.3 derived.

The treatment media controlled with the media valves are thus treatment media for the cleaning and / or disinfection of the KEG interior, such as water, also hot water, gas and / or vapor treatment media, treatment media containing H2O2, and / or media, which during the actual filling of the KEGs 3 come with the contents or product to application, such as vacuum, inert gas, eg CO2 gas, in particular also under pressure inert gas or CO2 gas for rinsing and / or biasing the KEG interior as well as the introduced during filling in the KEGs 3 contents.

The Fig. 5-8 show in operating conditions that the Fig. 1 - 4th correspond, as a further embodiment, a KEG treatment station 1a with a treatment head 4a, which differs from the treatment head 4 substantially only in that only a total of three media valves 7.1 - 7.3 are provided on the treatment head housing 5. Not shown in the Fig. 5-8 additional media valves 9.1 - 9.3. Otherwise, the treatment head 4a corresponds to the treatment head 4, so that such functional elements of the treatment head 4a, which at least correspond in function to the elements of the treatment head 4, with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1-3 are designated. Because of the simpler presentation are in the FIGS. 5 to 8 the guide pins 17 and the compression springs 18 are not shown. It is understood, however, that also in this embodiment, the contact and pressing element 23 is also sprung.

Accordingly, the show Figures 5 and 8th the still removed from the contact and pressing element 23, lowered KEG 3, the Fig. 6 after the first partial stroke H1 already in sealing position against the treatment head 4a and against the contact and pressing element 23 raised and applied KEG 3, but not yet open KEG fitting 2, and the Fig. 6 after the second partial stroke H2 in sealing position against the treatment head 4a or against the contact and pressing element 23 and raised to open the KEG fitting 2 in the upper end position KEG 3. In the immediate vicinity of the flow channel 6 are the three media valves 7.1 - 7.3 or their trained in treatment head housing 5 valve seats.

Shown in the Fig. 5-7 a lifting device 27 with which the partial strokes H1 and H2 are generated. The lifting device 27 comprises a preferably designed as a pneumatic cylinder lifting cylinder 28, which is provided with the piston 29 piston rod 30 acts on a carriage 31 which is guided in an axial direction parallel to the axis BA displaceable and on which the KEG holder 24 is provided. Above the piston 29, a stop formed by an auxiliary plunger or a piston rod 32 for the piston 29 is provided. This stop is part of an auxiliary cylinder 33.

For lifting the respective KEGs 3 with the first partial stroke H1 in the intermediate or test position is pressurized with pressurized auxiliary cylinder 33 of the cylinder 29 formed cylinder chamber of the lifting cylinder 28 pressurized, so that in this case upwardly moving piston 29 of the carriage 31 and the KEG holder 24 are raised. By the stop of the piston 29 against the piston rod 32 of the partial stroke H1 is terminated. For the further stroke H2, the auxiliary cylinder 33 is then relieved, while the stroke cylinder 22 continues to be pressurized, so that the KEG holder 24 then moves via the piston rod 30 and the slide 31 into the upper stroke position together with the KEG 3 with opening of the KEG valve become.

The Fig. 7 - 7 show only one possible embodiment of the lifting device for raising and lowering the KEG holder 24. Also other embodiments of this lifting device are possible.

The peculiarity of the treatment head 4 or 4a is thus that for opening the respective KEG fitting 2 an axial movement of the plunger 12 relative to the plunger 12 having treatment head housing 5 does not take place, this opening rather by the further stroke H2 when lifting the KEGs 3 is reached against the container head 4. This is made possible by the fact that the sealing layer between the KEG 3 and the KEG fitting 2 and the treatment head 4 takes place on the sprung contact and pressing element 23, which is axially displaceable relative to the treatment head housing 5 for opening the KEG fitting 2, and that in this case with open KEG fitting 2 with the seal 20 via the annulus 21 leading, with the KEG interior in communication and sealed outwardly flow path, for example, a return gas path is formed, without difficult to clean, especially inside lying sliding seals.

The opening of the KEG fitting 2 thus takes place in the invention by a movement which takes place outside the respective treatment head 4 or 4a, namely by additional lifting of the respective KEG 3 with the further stroke H2. The sealing of this movement takes place by means of the deformable, the lower portion of the treatment head housing 5 and the annular space 21 enclosing seal 20th

Another special feature of the KEG treatment stations 1 and 1a or their treatment heads 4 and 4a is also that the supply and / or discharge of treatment media as well as the supply of the liquid filling material in or out of the flow channel 6 controlling media valves 7.1 -. 7.4 and their valve seats, but also the other media valves 9.1 - 9.3 and their valve seats are provided in the treatment head housing 5 and in the immediate vicinity of the zusteuernden flow paths or channels 6 and 10, while avoiding external pipe or hose-like connecting lines. This results in short flow paths with reduced volume within the treatment head 4 and 4a in particular in the connections between the media valves 7.1 - 7.4 and the flow channel 6, which in the Treatment is traversed, for example, by different treatment media, so that mixed phases between the different treatment media and especially product or Füllgutverluste considerably reduced and times that are required for cleaning and / or disinfecting the treatment head 4 and 4a, are significantly reduced.

The Fig. 9 shows again in an enlarged perspective detail representation used in the treatment heads 4 and 4a sleeve or sleeve-like seal 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 20 as bellows seal integral with the two annular support members 20.1 and 20.2 and with the extending between these support elements accordion or bellows, cylindrical wall section 20.3 produced, preferably made of plastic, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), so that the seal 20 has a compressive strength for an internal pressure up to 6 bar, for example from about four to five bar. However, it is not mandatory that the sleeve or sleeve-like seal 20 is integrally formed with the two annular support members 20.1 and 20.2. The annular support elements 20.1 and 20.2 can also be made separately, for example, also from a different material, and then connected in a suitable manner with the seal 20 or even be used in this.

The illustrated annular support element 20.2, which slides on the surface 13 of the treatment head housing 5, thus forms the sliding guide 15 for the housing part 14. Furthermore, the illustrated annular support element 20.2 on the inside with a plurality of raised areas 20.2.1 and groove-like recessed areas 20.2 .2, wherein between each two raised regions 20.2.1 a recessed, groove-like region 20.2.2 is provided. The raised areas 20.2.1 form the actual sliding surface with which the support element 20.2 slides on the surface 13, and which is also easy to clean and / or sterilize. The recessed areas 20.2.2 form the openings, via which the annular space 21 communicates with the interior of the KEG 3 when the KEG 3 is arranged in a sealing position on the treatment head 4 or 4a and when the KEG fitting 2 is open.

It has been assumed above that the delivery of the respective KEG 3 to the treatment head 4 or 4a takes place in a stepped manner in two partial strokes H1 and H2. The delivery of the respective KEGs 3 to the treatment head 4 or 4a and the opening of the KEG valve can also be carried out in a continuous delivery and Anpresshub. It is understood that the opening of the KEG fitting 2 takes place in any case only when the relevant KEG with its KEG fitting 2 already applied in sealing position on the contact and pressing member 23 is applied. For this purpose, the delivery and Anpresshub is chosen so that even before opening the KEG fitting 2, the contact and pressing element 23 of this applied KEG fitting against the action of the compression springs 18 carried so far that on the compression springs 18 for the Density of the KEGs 3 on the treatment head 4 required contact pressure is generated.

It was assumed above that the seal 20 is designed as a bellows seal. Other at least axially deformable or axially elastically deformable seals, for example in the form of rolling membranes, can be used.

It has also been assumed above that the KEG 3 is moved for delivery to the treatment head 4 or 4a in the delivery and pressing stroke, for example suspended on the KEG holder 24 or on another container carrier. Since, however, in principle only the relative movement between the treatment head 4 or 4a with the solid, i. For the opening of the KEG fitting 2 not movable in the treatment head housing 5 arranged ram 12 arrives, it is in principle also possible that the treatment head 4 and 4a performs the delivery and Anpresshub. The treatment head 4 or 4a then preferably has the above-described embodiment.

Above, it was further assumed that the device according to the invention is arranged in such a way that the KEG 3 is located below the treatment head 4, 4a, as it is particularly advantageous for those KEGs which are provided with a neck ring and handled by neck handling , This is not mandatory. Deviating from this, in the context of the present invention, arrangements are also provided in which the KEG 3 is located above the treatment head 4, 4a, as it is particularly suitable for KEGs that are handled in the usual way, ie with downwardly oriented fitting and contact pressure on the treatment head 4, 4a by a, on the upwardly oriented bottom of the KEGs acting pressing device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a

KEG-treatment station

2

KEG fitting

2.1

Fitting body

2.2

dip tube

2.3

Fitting valve body

2.4

annular channel

4, 4a

treatment head

5

Treatment head housing

6

flow channel

7.1 - 7.4

media valve

8.1 - 8.4

connection

9.1 - 9.3

media valve

10

Return gas channel

11

connection

12

tappet

12.1 -12.3

tappet section

13

sliding surface

14

housing part

15

slide

16

retaining ring

17

guide pins

18

compression spring

19

retaining ring

20

poetry

20.1 - 20.2

Support element or annular reinforcement

21

annulus

22

Centering element or centering tulip

23

Investment and pressing element

24

KEG Holder

25, 26

sensor

27

lifting device

28

lifting cylinder

29

piston

30

piston rod

31

carriage

32

attack

33

auxiliary cylinder

BA

Axis of the treatment head

H1

stroke

H2

Weiterhub

Claims (19)

1. Method for treating the interiors of kegs (3), each of which is equipped with at least one keg fitting (2), using at least one treatment head (4, 4a), which has a mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) on a treatment head housing (5) for sealingly mating with the keg fitting (2) of the keg (3) to be treated during its treatment, wherein the keg (3) which is to be treated is pressed by a feed and mating stroke with its keg fitting in a sealing position against the mating-pressure and contact pressure element (23), and then the keg fitting (2) is opened by a relative movement between the keg fitting (2) and a lifter (12) of the treatment head (4, 4a) in an axial direction (BA), and, as a result, at least one flow path (10, 21) formed in the treatment head (4, 4a) is connected to the interior of the keg (3),
   wherein the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) is moved during the feed and mating stroke of the keg fitting (2), this keg fitting being in contact against the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23), relative to the treatment head housing (5) and against the effect of a resetting force, in the at least one axial direction (BA), wherein the relative movement between the lifter (12), immovably provided at the treatment head housing (5), and the keg fitting (2) required for the opening of the keg fitting (2) takes place by the movement of the keg fitting in contact with sealing effect at the housing part (14, 22, 23) during the feed and mating stroke and with deflection of the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) against the resetting force, wherein, with this opening of the keg fitting (2), the interior of the keg (3) which is to be treated is connected to the flow path (10, 21), which is formed on at least a part length inside a sleeve-type deformable seal (20), which surrounds the treatment head housing (5) on at least a part length and with a distance spacing interval, and which is connected by one first end tight to the treatment head housing (5) and by another second end tight to the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23), and wherein the seal (20) form at its second end at least one slide surface (20.2.1), which is movably guided with the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) on a surface (13) of the treatment head housing (5) in the axial direction.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the pressing of the keg fitting (2) against the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) and the opening of the keg fitting (2) take place in one continuous feed and mating stroke or in at least two part strokes (H1, H2) of the feed and mating stroke, wherein in the first part stroke (H1) the sealing position of the keg (3) which is to be treated is established at the treatment head (4, 4a), and in the following part stroke or further stroke (H2) the opening of the keg fitting (2) is carried out.
3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that, after the completion of the first part stroke (H1), a sealing tightness test of the treatment head (4, 4a) and/or of the connection between the treatment head (4, 4a) and the keg fitting (2) takes place, and/or a flushing of the channels and/or flow paths formed in the treatment head (4, 4a) and fitting spaces and/or fitting surfaces already in connection with the treatment head (4, 4a), and/or a treatment of the keg (3) on the outside of the keg.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for the feed and mating stroke, the keg (3) which is to be treated and/or the treatment head (4, 4a) are moved in the axial direction (BA).
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, with the opening of the keg fitting (2), a connection is established of at least one further flow path formed in the treatment head housing (5) with the interior of the keg or with an immersion tube (2.2) of the keg fitting (2) which opens into the interior of the keg (3), and specifically preferably by way of the lifter (12), wherein the at least one further flow path is preferably a flow channel (6), by way of which, controlled by media valves (7.1, 7.4; 9.1 - 9.3), the media used in the treatment of the kegs conveys into the keg interior in a controlled manner.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that during the treatment the interior of the keg (3), is flushed with at least one liquid and/or gaseous and/or vaporous medium and/or with a hot gaseous and/or vaporous medium, for example with water, hot water, water vapour with a medium containing H₂O₂, with vacuum, with an inert gas, such as CO₂ gas, and/or with an inert gas under pressure, such as CO₂ gas, and/or preloaded and/or filled with a liquid filling product.
7. Treatment station for the treating of the interiors of kegs (3) equipped in each case with at least one keg fitting (2), with at least one treatment head (4, 4a), which comprises at a treatment head housing (5) a mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23), against which the keg fitting (2) of the keg (3) to be treated can be pressed into a sealing position by a feed and mating stroke, with at least one lifter (12) for opening the keg fitting (2) of the keg (3) to be treated and which is arranged in a sealing position at the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23), by a relative movement between the keg fitting (2) and the lifter (12) in an axial direction (BA), as well as with at least one flow path (10, 21) formed in the treatment head (4, 4a), which, with the keg fitting (2) opened, connects with the interior of the keg (3) to be treated,
   wherein the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) can be moved during the feed and mating stroke by the keg fitting (2) in contact, relative to the treatment head housing (5) in the axial direction (BA), against the effect of a resetting force, wherein the lifter (12) is immovably provided at the treatment head housing (5) and the feed and mating stroke causes the relative movement between the keg fitting (2) and the lifter (12) for the opening of the keg fitting (2) with simultaneous movement between the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) and the treatment head housing (5), wherein at least a part length of the flow path (10, 21) is formed inside a sleeve-type deformable seal (20), which surrounds the treatment head housing (5) on at least one part length extending in the axial direction (BA) with a distance spacing interval, and which is connected by one first end tight to the treatment head housing (5) and by another second end tight to the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23), and the seal (20) forms at its second end at least one slide surface (20.2.1), which is movably guided with the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) on a surface (13) of the treatment head housing (5) in the axial direction.
8. Treatment station according to claim 7, characterised in that the seal (20) is formed at its ends in each case with a reinforcing annular support element (20.1, 20.2), as well as with a deformable wall section (20.3) extending between these reinforcing elements (20.1, 20.2).
9. Treatment station according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the slide surface of the seal (20) is formed by a plurality of elevated regions (20.2.1), spaced apart from one another, on an inner surface of the annular support element (20.2).
10. Treatment station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mating-pressure and contact-pressure element (23) can be moved relative to the treatment head housing (5) against the effect of at least one pressure spring (18).
11. Treatment station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one further flow path or flow channel (6) is formed in the treatment head housing (5), which, when the keg fitting is open, connects with the interior of the keg to be treated, or with a riser tube (2.2) of the keg fitting (2) opening into the interior of the keg (3) to be treated.
12. Treatment station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that media valves (9.1 - 9.3; 7.1 - 7.4) are provided in the at least one flow path (10, 21) and/or the at least one further flow path or flow channel (6), for the controlled feed and removal of treatment media, into the interior of the keg to be treated and/or out of the interior of the keg (3) to be treated.
13. Treatment station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that sensors (25, 26) are provided at the treatment head (4, 4a), preferably for monitoring the pressure in the flow paths or flow channels (10, 21; 6) and/or of the media flowing through these channels.
14. Treatment station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by means or a lifting device (27) for producing the feed and mating stroke in at least two part strokes (H1, H2), or for producing a continuous feed and mating stroke.
15. Treatment station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by means or by a lifting device (27) for producing the feed and mating stroke for a keg holder (24) or for the treatment head.
16. Treatment station according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sleeve-type or sheath-type configured seal (20) is configured at its open ends in each case with an annular support element (20.1, 20.2), and with a cylindrical wall element (20.3) located in between, which can be deformed in the sense of a change in the distance spacing interval between the support elements (20.1, 20.2).
17. Treatment station according to claim 16, characterised in that the annular support elements (20.1, 20.2) exhibit a material cross-section of which the cross-section dimensions are substantially larger than the material thickness of the wall-type section (20.3), and/or that the seal (20) is made as one piece out of plastic, such as Teflon, and/or with a pressure resistance for an internal pressure of up to maximum 6 bar, and preferably for an internal pressure in the range between 4 and 5 bar.
18. Treatment station according to any one of claims 16 or 17, characterised in that at least one support element (20.2) comprises a plurality of raised regions (20.2.1) on its inner surface, which in each case are separated from one another by a depressed region (20.2.2) in the form of a groove or slot.
19. Treatment station according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that the deformable seal (20) is produced as a folding bellows seal or as a roller diaphragm seal.

Images