WO1997018343A1

WO1997018343A1 - Method and device for sterilising, deodorising and protecting the inner surfaces of containers and tubes

Info

Publication number: WO1997018343A1
Application number: PCT/CH1996/000406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pavel Koulik; Vladimir Enguelcht; Mikhail Samsonov; Ioulia Tsvetkova; Evgenia Zorina; Stanislav Begounov; Rudolph Konavko; Svetlana Krapivina; Anatolii Saitshenko; Sergei Goloviatinskii
Original assignee: Ist Instant Surface Technology S.A.
Priority date: 1995-11-13
Filing date: 1996-11-13
Publication date: 1997-05-22
Also published as: EP0862663A1

Abstract

A method for sterilising, cleaning, deodorising and protecting the inner surfaces of containers (1) or tubes by treating same with a plasma stream (4) fed into each container (1) or tube. A device for carrying out the method is also provided.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STERILIZING, DEODORIZING AND PROTECTING THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF CONTAINERS AND TUBES device for implementing the process

The present invention relates to a process for sterilization (disinfection), deodorization and protection of the internal surface of containers and tubes, as well as the device for implementing the process. It relates to the field of plasma and activated gas technologies and can be used in particular in the treatment processes (sterilization, cleaning, deodorization, pickling, creation of barrier layers and protective layers) of interior surfaces of containers and tubes. in various materials (glass, polymers, etc.) and is applicable in particular in the food, pharmacological, medical, chemical and electrical industries.

A method of sterilizing bottles is known by treating their inner surface using aqueous solutions of basic products and the like. This process is described in the document "Heutiger Stand des Tech i s im Nassteil einer Abfullanlage", A Kneissl, Brauwelt, N 15/16 (1995). p. 730-737. This process is distinguished by its high productivity and is carried out on an industrial scale. Its disadvantage is that it may not completely destroy pathogenic microorganisms (especially in the form of spores), and also that it is unable to completely deodorize the treated surfaces, which means that, after treatment, odors and specific tastes are transmitted to the new contents of the container, these tastes and odors being identified using control means and specialized devices. As containers with a residual odor are considered as waste, they are thrown away. The economic losses can be great.

Another known method, described in the document "Trocken- Reinigung", Betnebstechnik, 12/94, p. 33-34, relates to plasma treatment in a vacuum chamber. In this room, with a volume of several m ^, is a group of bottles. The chamber, first evacuated from the air it contains, is then filled with chemically activated particles, generated by a plasma. The particles, capable of carrying out oxidation, penetrate inside the bottle where they destroy organic waste such as oil or fat, as well as pathogenic microorganisms. This process is that of a cold combustion, that is to say an oxidation without great heating of the gas and the treated surface. This method, due to its effectiveness, has a marked advantage compared to treatment by the liquid chemistry method. This process is nevertheless complicated to carry out and expensive. It is necessary to have, in the automatic line for cleaning and filling bottles, a large vacuum chamber with a plasma source, ensuring the continuity of the process. Furthermore, experience shows that this method does not ensure complete deodorization of the container. Certain molecules (limonene) are localized in the micro-crevices of the walls and even penetrate into the atomic structure of the polymeric surfaces from where it is practically impossible to eliminate them.

The aim of the present invention is to remedy these problems by proposing a method based on the method of activation and surface modification proposed in Swiss patent application no. 3207/95 by the applicant filed on November 13, 1995 and entitled "Process of surface treatment and device for implementing the process ".

To this end, the invention relates to a process for sterilization (disinfection), cleaning, deodorization and protection of the internal surface of containers or tubes by treating their internal surface using a convective flow or diffusion of activated particles, generated by plasma, in which the treatment of each container or tube is carried out by the introduction of a flow of plasma into each container or tube. According to respective embodiments, the plasma flow acting on the inner wall of the container or the tube can be arranged:

- so as to cause a thermal effect of ablation of the surface;

- so as to cause its cleaning and deodorization by pickling of several atomic layers of the material of the wall of the container or of the tube; or

- so as to cause its polishing, by ablation or a selective pickling of the microscopic relief of the interior wall of the container or the treated tube.

According to another embodiment of the process, chemical components are added to the plasma flow acting on the interior wall of the container or of the tube so as to cause, after activation of the surface, the creation of a layer of materials whose composition corresponds to the chemicals added to the plasma, this layer representing an additional barrier for gases coming from outside or inside the container or the tube or a chemical protection of the material of the container or the tube.

According to another embodiment of the process, the action of the plasma on the interior surface of the container or of the tube is added by the action of an alternating electric current, in particular of high frequency, the density vector of which is directed at an angle other than zero with respect to the treated surface.

The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method comprising one or more of the following characteristics:

- Means for achieving a calm discharge at atmospheric pressure in a flow of oxygen inside the container or the tube. - Means for producing a spark discharge at ambient atmospheric pressure in a flow of oxygen, argon or nitrogen inside the container or the tube.

- Means for achieving a calm discharge at atmospheric pressure in a flow of oxygen of speed close to the sonic speed inside the container or the tube.

- Means for carrying out an AC discharge, in particular at high frequency 1 inside the container or tube, the material of the container or tube being dielectric.

- Means for achieving a calm discharge at low pressure inside the container or the tube.

- Means for achieving a barrier discharge through the wall of the container or the tube in an atmosphere of oxygen or argon.

- Means for achieving a barrier discharge in an atmosphere of oxygen or argon inside the container or the tube.

- Means for injecting a flow of ozone and oxygen inside the container or the tube, coming from an autonomous ozonizer.

- inside the container or the tube, a micro-plasmotron, arranged to generate a plasma of argon and / or oxygen, allowing by a relative movement of the container and the micro-plasmotron to sweep the whole surface inside the container with the plasma jet.

- inside the container or the tube, a liquid-cooled tube arranges so that a plasma jet, coming from an autonomous plasma generator, penetrates into the container or the tube and, thanks to a deflector of and, and has a movement relative of the container with respect to the tube, sweeps the entire interior surface of the container.

- Means for bringing the plasma flow coming from the generator inside the container or the tube by an air current caused by a forced ventilation system which accelerates the movement of the plasma inside the container and intensifies the interaction of plasma with the surface of the container.

- the tube through which the and plasma is introduced into the container or the tube is constructed of dielectric material, and in that along this tube, at different heights, are arranged annular electrodes connected to a high current source voltage, causing a non-autonomous discharge in the plasma flow.

means for carrying out the treatment of the surface using a discharge of the "capacity" type, the electrodes of this discharge being outside the container or the treated tube, so that the lines of the current cross the treated surface, the distribution of the current density on the treated surface depending on the shape of the electrodes.

- Means for carrying out the treatment of the surface using an induction discharge, the configuration thereof being determined by the shape of the inductor placed outside the container or the tube.

means for carrying out the treatment of the surface using a discharge to an electrode of the "torch" type, the distribution of the current density on the treated surface determining the distribution of the treatment on this surface and being controlled by the intensity and distribution of the flow of substance injected inside the container or the tube. - o -

- Means for injecting a flow of monophasic or multiphasic substance inside the container or the tube, and serving as initiation to the discharge, medium for forming the discharge, medium for stabilizing the discharge , of medium for generation of the pickling (cleaning) action or of deposition of barrier layer.

- Means for injecting a flow of initiating substance into a limited space coating the outer surface of the container or the treated tube and the generation, in this space, of a plasma by alternating current discharge, in particular at high frequency , so that the treatment of the external surface of the treated container or tube is added to the treatment of the internal surface and is carried out simultaneously with the latter.

The solution proposed by the present invention consists in treating individually or in groups each container or tube with substances activated by a plasma, this treatment being carried out either with the use of a low vacuum beforehand, either at atmospheric pressure or at pressure. sub¬ atmospheric. It allows plasma treatment to be easily integrated into technological processes for cleaning and individual filling of containers or tubes. The advantages of plasma treatment are the destruction of microorganisms, whatever they are, including spores, and the decomposition of complex molecules, sources of unwanted odors, into simple elements, such as water or carbon dioxide, and this, not only on the surface but inside the first few atomic layers, the formation of barrier layers, obstructing gases coming from inside or outside the container or tube, or representing chemical protection container or tube material.

The method according to the invention and its implementation device are described below, based on the drawing in which: - Figures la and 1b show the results of the measurements, of the relief of the polymeric surfaces (PET), treated by plasma flow (Ar, O2, 2) atmospheric at a temperature of 5000 to 8000 degrees, in the case of Figure la by scanning electron microscopy *) before treatment and **) after treatment, in the case of FIG. 1b by Atomic Force Microscopy *) before treatment and **) after treatment, and

- Figure 2 illustrates the results of the chromatographic study of the influence of treatment with HF plasma type "capacity" of PET bottles, the concentration of aromatic molecules being indicated in the form of gray vertical bars before treatment. We see that the concentration of Limonene molecules is reduced by more than an order of magnitude after treatment.

- Figures 3 to 18 illustrate different examples of devices according to the invention.

A flow of activated particles (radicals, excited atoms, excited molecules) is created from multiphase flows composed of gases, liquid and / or solid particles in a specially chosen source of plasma, located either inside the vessels or tubes to be treated, either outside. Thanks to forced convection and diffusion, these particles reach the internal surface of the container or tube and carry out disinfection, cleaning, pickling, sterilization, deodorization by oxidation, and destruction of organic matter which therein, in particular microorganisms, as well as possibly the covering with a barrier layer or a protective layer. In addition, the particles activated in this plasma, duly chosen, and projected onto the wall to be treated with a sufficient flux density, at a high temperature, create thermal fluxes causing the ablation of the surface, its surface pickling as well as polishing of the micro-relief. The aromatic molecules which were impregnated in the solid structure of the treated surface are therefore in these cases taken away at the same time as the stripping (polishing, ablation) and disinfection residues.

The experiments, carried out with a plasma flow of oxygen, nitrogen and argon on polymeric surfaces such as PET, polypropylene and others, show that a plasma flow at a temperature of 5000 to 8000 degrees causes rapid ablation of the surface and a pickling has a depth of 20 to 100 Å, a polishing pickling reducing the height and width of the micro-roughness from 1 to 0.1 μm. This action takes place superficially, without degradation of the material outside the treated surface layer. These results are illustrated by the photos in FIG. 1 showing the reliefs before and after treatment, obtained by scanning electron microscopy and Atomic Force microscopy.

The experiments carried out with a high-frequency plasma of the "capacity" type, the electrodes of which are situated outside the container or the treated tube, have shown that the method can be used for disinfection (see table 1) and deodorization. of the internal surface of PET bottles (see fig. 2).

Table 1 shows that, after treatment, the density of microorganisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, streptococcus + Lactobacilli) on the inner surface of PET bottles initially of 3.10 ^ per bottle, i.e. 10 per 3 mm2 spots is reduced to zero on the full height of the bottle.

FIG. 2 is the result of the chromatographic study of the molecular composition on the interior surface of PET bottles before and after plasma treatment of the "capacity" type. We see, among other things, that the concentration of aromatic molecules of Limonene, specially introduced on the interior surface of the bottle, is reduced by an order of magnitude after plasma treatment. Table 1

Treatment of the inner surface of PET bottles by plasma generated in "Capacity" type landfill: microbiological study.

) 0 no microbial growth

Legend} + microbial growth from the smear} 30 number of colonies counted from the plastic Figure 3 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: quartz tube; 3: electrodes; 4: discharge (plasma); Tp: transformer 220/10000, three-phase; L: inductance coil) shows one of the possibilities for carrying out the method and the device according to the invention. In the container 1 (bottle in this case) are introduced a quartz tube 2 and three electrodes 3. The electrodes are put under a voltage of 10 kV using a transformer Tp. Oxygen is blown into the container through tube 2. A calm discharge, at atmospheric pressure, is created between the electrodes (discharge current 0.5 A, the electrodes being made of copper and cooled). Under the action of the discharge (from the plasma) 4, in the oxygen blown into the container, activated atomic and molecular particles are formed (0, 0 ^* , 0 ^* 2, ° 3) which are transported by the gas flow towards the interior surface of the container, where they carry out the oxidation reaction of organic materials, and in particular microorganisms, thus destroying their vital functions.

Figure 4 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: quartz tube; 3: electrodes; 4: discharge (plasma); Tp: transformer 220/10000, three-phase; L: inductivity; C: capacity) illustrates a second possibility of carrying out the method and the device according to the invention. In this case, between the electrodes 3 is organized a discharge of spark at atmospheric pressure. In addition to chemically activated particles, this discharge generates intense ultraviolet radiation of short wavelength. This helps to destroy the microorganisms on the surface to be treated and to transform organic matter.

Figure 5 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: metal or quartz tube; 3: electrodes; 4: discharge (plasma); 5: direct current source, 10 KV) illustrates a third possibility of realization of the method and the device according to the invention. O 97/18343 _ _n _

Between the electrodes is organized a calm discharge, at atmospheric pressure, in a flow of oxygen at sonic speed. The discharge current is 0.5 A, the voltage at the electrodes is 3 kV. The power of the plasma flow (_ 1.5 kW) is much higher than that of the two previous cases (Figures 1 and 2) which reduces the treatment time of the container.

Figure 6 (or the reference signs respectively relate to: 1: container; 2: metal or quartz tube; 3: electrodes; 4: discharge (plasma); 5: direct current source, 10 kV) illustrates a fourth possibility of realization of the method and the device according to the invention. The container is filled with oxygen. A flow of oxygen ventilates it via the tube 2. The metal tube 2 is supplied by a high frequency generator. In the container is created a high-frequency discharge of type E (condenser) at atmospheric pressure. The electric current is distributed over the entire interior volume of the container, which increases the processing speed. An increase in the processing speed can be obtained by virtue of the fact that the treated container is immersed in water. In this case, the streamlines close over the entire interior surface of the container, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 (or the reference signs relate respectively to: 1: container; 2: electrodes; 3: discharge (plasma); U: high-voltage direct current power source) shows another possibility of carrying out the process and the device according to the invention. The container is placed under a low vacuum (P -_ 1 millibar). The distance between the electrodes is less than the size of the cathode zone for the given pressure and gas. Between these electrodes is organized a calm discharge. This discharge is characterized by the fact that the electric current passes through the external surface of the electrodes and is distributed uniformly throughout the volume of the container. Figure 8 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: tube; 3: metal link chain; 4: weakly conductive water; U: high-voltage alternating current power source) illustrates a sixth possibility for carrying out the claimed invention. The container is submerged in water (or is sprayed with water). The slightly conductive water is earthed. The container is filled with metallic bodies in contact with each other (for example, a metal link chain can be used for this purpose). This metallic medium is put under high voltage. On the inner surface of the container appears a barrier discharge. In the latter is generated ozone (O3), if oxygen is introduced into the container through the tube 2. An intense radiation of ultraviolet rays also appears in the case of the presence of argon in the container. These two elements help to sterilize and deodorize the interior surface of the container.

Figure 9 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: dielectric tube; 3: metal tube; 4: metal tube spiral; 5: discharge (plasma), U: AC power source of high voltage) illustrates a seventh possibility of producing the device according to the invention. On the dielectric tube 2 is wound a spiral made of a metal tube of small diameter h, the space between the winding 4 and the tube 2 is 3 mm and the pitch of the spiral is 5 mm. The tubes are cooled with water. Tubes 3 and 4 are placed under high alternating voltage (~ 10 kV). Between the dielectric tube 2 and the tube 4 is generated a barrier discharge. When oxygen is blown through the container, the discharge generates an active oxidant, ozone. In the presence of argon, intense ultraviolet radiation appears. The two factors cause the sterilization of the internal wall of the container and its cleaning of organic matter.

Figure 10 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: ozone supply tube; 3: ozonizer) illustrates another possible embodiment of the device according to the invention. The container is crossed by ozone, generated externally by a barrier discharge or another type of discharge, so as to have uniform contact with the flow of the oxidizing gas. Oxidation causes effective disinfection and deodorization of the interior wall of the container.

Figure 11 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: metal sleeve containing the microplasmotron supply conduits; 3: microplasmotron; 4: plasma jet; 5: direction of translational and rotary movement of the container by relative to the microplasmotron; 6: direction of rotation of the microplasmotron; 7: supply of cooling water; 8: supply of electricity; 9: supply of gas, for example 0) illustrates a ninth variant of the device according to the invention. A microplasmotron is introduced into the container. It generates a jet of oxygen plasma, at atmospheric pressure, created either by an arc discharge, or by a high voltage alternating current discharge. The jet projects on the interior wall of the container a flow of activated particles (0, 0 *, 0 ^* 2 / ° 3) which, attacking the wall treated by forced convection and diffusion, sterilize, clean, destroy organic matter superficially, deodorize locally the inner wall of the container. A relative movement of the micro-plasmotron and the wall of the container makes it possible to treat the interior surface of the container entirely.

FIG. 12 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: generator of a plasma jet; 3: plasma jet; 4: supply of cooling water; 5: gas supply, for example Ar, 0; 6: power supply; 7: cooled tube; 8: deflector; 9: central plasma jet; 10: lateral plasma jet) illustrates a tenth possibility of making the device according to the invention. A plasma jet is formed outside the treated container. The plasma is introduced to the inside of the container using a tube which can be cooled. Once out of the tube, the plasma jet is reformed by a system of deflectors and openings so that the plasma can effectively reach all regions of the interior surface of the container. The reaction products are evacuated by ventilation along the introduction tube.

A cold air (or other gas) ventilation system can be organized as shown in Figure 13 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: plasma jet generator; 3: plasma jet; 4: cooling water supply; 5: gas supply, for example Ar, 0; 6: electric current supply; 7: cooled tube; 8: deflector; 9: central plasma jet; 10: lateral plasma jet; 11: forced ventilation system), to more effectively drive the plasma flow inside the container. The plasma introduction tube is made of metal or insulating material, for example quartz. In the latter case, the addition of two electrodes, placed on

> the introduction tube and connected to a high voltage current source (__ 1 A) (~ 10 kV), allows additional, non-autonomous excitation (ionization) of the plasma, which makes it even more effective during of its interaction with the interior wall of the container and thus makes it possible to reduce the duration of treatment.

An example of such a solution is illustrated in FIG. 14 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1: container; 2: generator of a plasma jet; 3: plasma jet; 4: supply of cooling water; 5: gas supply, for example Ar, O; 6: electric current supply; 7: cooled dielectric tube, for example quartz; 8: deflector; 9: central plasma jet; 10: lateral plasma jet, 11: forced ventilation system; 12: annular electrodes; 13: direct current or alternating high voltage source, 10 kV). FIG. 15 illustrates an eleventh embodiment of the invention for the generation of a plasma by HF discharge with introduction for the treatment of the internal surface of a PET bottle ("a") and of a tube made of polymeric material ("b"), where the reference signs relate respectively to: 1. container; 2: tube; 3: HF current source; 4: coil; 5: flow rate of the injected substance; 6: plasma. The walls of the treated container or tube serve as an enclosure for the generation of a high frequency induction plasma due to the passage of a high frequency current through the turns of an external inductor coaxial to the container or the treated tube. . Plasma is formed in the uniphasic or multiphasic substance injected inside the container or the tube to initiate, form and stabilize it. The plasma particles which reach the wall of the container or the tube carry out the treatment there which, according to their physico-chemical nature, is a disinfection, a cleaning, a pickling or a layer deposition.

FIG. 16 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention for the generation of a plasma by HF discharge of the "capacity" type for the treatment of the internal surface of a PET bottle ("a") and of a tube in polymeric material ("b"), where the reference signs relate respectively to: 1. container; 2: tube; 3: current source; 4: central electrode; 5: flow rate of the injected substance; 6: streamlines; 7: peripheral electrode; 8: plasma. In this case, the walls of the container or of the treated tube serve as enclosure for the generation of a high frequency plasma of the "capacity" type formed by the passage of a high frequency current through the interior volume of the container or of the tube to be treated. Here, the treatment which, depending on the nature of the substance injected inside the container or the tube consists of disinfection, cleaning, pickling or depositing of film, is due not only to the access of the particles of the plasma. to the treated surface, but to electron bombardment of this surface. FIG. 17 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1. container; 2: tube; 3: current source; 4: central electrode; 5: flow rate of the injected substance; 6: current lines; 7: wall limiting the flow rate of substance injected outside the container or tube; 8: peripheral electrode; 9: plasma) illustrates the case where the plasma generated inside the container or tube to be treated is an HF plasma of the "torch" type, the generation of which requires only the presence of an electrode, the role of the second electrode being heard by surrounding objects, in contact with the earth. In this case too, an initiating substance, injected inside the container or the tube, forms and stabilizes the discharge. Cleaning, disinfection, pickling and film deposition treatments are possible depending on the nature of the initiating substance injected. By adding an outer wall which conforms to the outer surface of the container or tube to be treated and by injecting an initiating substance into it, it is possible to generate a plasma outside the container or tube, similar to the inner plasma, and which causes the external treatment of the container or the tube. This treatment can be done simultaneously with the internal treatment or independently of it. The external plasma can be of the "induction", "capacity" or "torch" type.

Figure 18 (where the reference signs relate respectively: 1. container; 2: tube; 3: current source; 4: electrode; 5: flow rate of the injected substance; 6: current lines; 7: plasma) illustrates the case of a "capacity" type plasma, activated simultaneously with the interior plasma. In this case, outside the added wall is a peripheral electrode.

Claims

claims

1. Process for sterilization (disinfection), cleaning, deodorization and protection of the internal surface of containers or tubes by treatment of their internal surface using a convective flow or diffusion of activated particles, generated by plasma, characterized in that the treatment of each container or tube is carried out by the introduction of a plasma flow into each container or tube.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the plasma flow acting on the inner wall of the container or the tube is arranged so as to cause a thermal effect of ablation of the surface.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the plasma flow acting on the interior wall of the container or of the tube is arranged so as to cause its cleaning and its deodorization by pickling of several atomic layers of the material of the wall of the container or tube.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the plasma flow acting on the interior wall of the container or of the tube is arranged so as to cause its polishing, by ablation or a selective pickling of the microscopic relief of the interior wall of the treated container or tube.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that chemical components are added to the plasma flow acting on the interior wall of the container or the tube so as to cause, after activation of the surface, the creation of a layer of materials whose composition corresponds to the chemicals added to the plasma, this layer representing an additional barrier for gases coming from outside or inside the container or tube or chemical protection of the container or tube material.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that one adds to the action of the plasma on the inner surface of the container or the tube, the action of an alternating electric current, in particular of high frequency, the density vector of which is directed at an angle other than zero with respect to the surface treated.

7. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means for carrying out a calm discharge at atmospheric pressure in a flow of oxygen inside the container or of the tube.

8. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means for producing a spark discharge at ambient atmospheric pressure in a flow of oxygen, of argon or nitrogen inside the container or tube.

9. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means for producing a calm discharge at atmospheric pressure in a flow of oxygen of speed close to the sonic speed inside the container or tube.

10. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to β, characterized in that it comprises means for producing an alternating current discharge, in particular at high frequency inside the container or the tube , the material of the container or tube being dielectric.

11. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means for producing a calm discharge at low pressure inside the container or the tube.

12. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means for producing a barrier discharge through the wall of the container or the tube in an oxygen atmosphere or argon.

13. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to β, characterized in that it comprises means for producing a barrier discharge in an atmosphere of oxygen or argon inside the container or tube.

14. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to β, characterized in that it comprises means for injecting a flow of ozone and oxygen inside the container or the tube, coming from an autonomous ozonator.

15. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises, inside the container or the tube, a micro¬ plasmotron, an agency for generating a plasma jet argon and / or oxygen, allowing by a relative movement of the container and the micro-plasmotron to sweep the entire interior surface of the container with the jet of plasma.

16. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises, inside the container or the tube, a tube, cooled by liquid, arranged so that one and of plasma, coming from an autonomous plasma generator, penetrates into the container or the tube and, thanks to a jet deflector, and with a relative movement of the container relative to the tube, scans the entire interior surface of the container.

17. Device for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises means for bringing the plasma flow coming from the generator into the container or the tube by a current of air caused by a forced ventilation system which accelerates the movement of the plasma inside the container and intensifies the interaction of the plasma with the surface of the container.

18. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the tube by which the plasma jet is introduced into the container or the tube is constructed of dielectric material, and in that along this tube, at different heights, are arranged annular electrodes connected to a high voltage current source, causing a non-autonomous discharge in the plasma flow.

19. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means for carrying out the treatment of the surface with the aid of a discharge of the "capacity" type, the electrodes of this discharge being located outside the treated container or tube, such that the lines of the current cross the treated surface, the distribution of the current density on the treated surface depending on the shape of the electrodes.

20. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means for carrying out the treatment of the surface using an induction discharge, the configuration thereof being determined by the shape of the inductor arranged outside the container or tube.

21. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means for carrying out the treatment of the surface by means of a discharge at an electrode of the "torch" type, the distribution of the current density over the treated surface determining the distribution of the treatment on this surface and being controlled by the intensity and distribution of the flow of substance injected inside the container or the tube.

22. Device according to claim 10 or one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that it comprises means for injecting a flow of monophasic or multiphasic substance inside the container or the tube, and serving as initiation to the discharge, medium for forming the discharge, medium for stabilizing the discharge, medium for generating the pickling (cleaning) action or depositing a barrier layer.

23. Device according to claim 10 or one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that it comprises means for injecting a flow of initiating substance into a limit space coating the outer surface of the container or the tube processes and generates, in this space, a plasma by alternating current discharge, in particular at high frequency, so that the treatment of the external surface of the container or of the treated tube is added to the treatment of the internal surface and s 'performs simultaneously with the latter.