WO2009132751A1 - Method and treatment system for cleaning hose-like containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention are a method and a device for cleaning, in particular internal cleaning, of flexible hose-like containers (1), in particular bags (1). In the process, the opening (1a) of the hose-like container (1) is first placed over a treatment nozzle (2). Then, the hose-like container (1) is filled with a cleaning and/or disinfecting means and then filled with a rinsing agent and emptied. Finally, the hose-like container (1) is filled with a product medium.

Description

 Method and treatment plant for cleaning hose-like structures

Description:

The invention relates to a method for cleaning, in particular internal cleaning, of flexible hose-like structures with at least one opening.

In general, the cleaning is a disinfection, that is to say a treatment of the respective hose-like structure in such a way that any germs or microorganisms are preferably killed or removed in the interior. It is therefore important to treat the hose-like structure, in particular the bag for holding a beverage, in such a way that subsequently microbiologically sensitive liquids such as generally drinks or beverage concentrates can be filled without hesitation.

The hose-like structures with at least one opening are - as stated - usually bags that are used in large quantities in the beverage or gastronomy industry and have widespread use as disposable food containers. For example, in the food service industry, it is common to serve beverages such as wine, or in general, foods that are prepared in dispensing systems as needed from beverage-forming or food-forming bases such as concentrates or ready-to-use components. These bases or concentrates or ready-to-use components are stored in such disposable containers or tubular structures or flexible bags.

Of course, dry products such as ready-made soups, noodles, dried vegetables, soup powder or the like can also be introduced into such tube-like structures or bags for producing a ready-made soup. In any case, the particular germ-free design of the tubular structure before filling with an associated (for example wise liquid or powdery) product medium of particular importance.

Certain methods already exist in the prior art in order to equip a filling line with a cleaning device, as described in WO 2004/058019 A1. In a similar direction aims the DE 603 04 474 T2, which deals with a hose connector for disposable food containers. Approaches to clean the hose-like structures before filling are so far but hardly. This is because it is assumed that the tube-like structures are filled immediately after their preparation, so that a cleaning is unnecessary. This is where the invention starts.

The invention is based on the technical problem of specifying such a method for cleaning flexible hose-like structures, which ensures the proper disinfection of the hose-like structure or the bag or the bag pack with little effort.

To solve this technical problem, the invention provides a process for cleaning, in particular internal cleaning, of flexible hose-like structures with at least one opening, preferably of bags or bag packs, with the following process steps:

- The tubular structure is slipped over a treatment nozzle with its opening;

- The tubular structure is first filled with a detergent and then with a detergent and then emptied each time;

- Finally, the tubular structure is filled with a product medium. In addition, cleaning of the treatment nozzle and / or the opening of the tubular structure can be carried out prior to the everting of the opening of the tubular structure on the treatment nozzle.

As already stated, the hose-like structures are generally bags or bag packs. That is, according to the cleaning method according to the invention, both individual bags and several bags can be subjected to the described cleaning at the same time. The bags are generally disposable bags, which are disposed of after emptying the product medium stored therein. Of course, according to the described procedure, reusable bags can also be treated, ie those which are to be prepared for emptying the product medium for refilling. However, this usually only represents a procedure in exceptional cases.

The bags themselves can be made, for example, from a tube made of thermoplastic material (for example PE = polyethylene), which is cut to length and sealed by a sealing on the end side. Of course, this is only an example. Incidentally, it has proven to be advantageous if the tubular structure is evacuated before each filling. In this context, the cleaning agent and the rinsing agent are generally removed in each case by negative pressure from the tubular structure. This is a quick and safe procedure and allows, moreover, that the fillings are virtually completely removed in the tubular structure before further treatment.

In addition, it is possible for the cleaning agent and / or the rinsing agent to remain in the tubular structure for a specific time, the so-called and in each case specific treatment time. As a result, the required duration of action can be precisely adjusted in particular in the case of the cleaning agent in order to completely detach any residues, microbes or the like present in the interior from the inner wall. In this context, it is advisable to take additional measures if necessary, which increase the cleaning effect. Thus, it is conceivable to irradiate the tube-like structure additionally with UV light for killing germs, provided that the light penetrates into the interior through the plastic sheath. In principle, of course, a coupling of the UV light on the treatment nozzle is conceivable, so that in this way the inner surface of the tubular structure can be acted upon. Moreover, it is recommended that the tubular structure is mechanically stimulated when the medium is filled in (that is, when the cleaning agent and / or rinsing agent and / or product medium are filled in). This mechanical excitation can be done by a force acting on the tubular structure shaking force. The aim here is to achieve complete wetting of the inner surface and, if appropriate, to remove gas bubbles adhering to the inner surface of the latter. In any case, it is important to ensure complete wetting of the inner surface of the tubular bag.

In addition, it is within the scope of the invention, the individual steps such as "filling the detergent", "filling the detergent" and each preceded "emptying" repeatedly through. As a result, the cleaning effect or the subsequent rinsing action is increased.

Incidentally, it has proven useful if the tubular structure additionally undergoes an external cleaning during and / or after and / or before the internal cleaning. This external cleaning can be done while the bag has been slipped with its opening on the treatment nozzle, so already undergoes a fixation. Of course, other approaches are conceivable, namely such that the bag is cleaned prior to slipping on the treatment nozzle.

In most cases, the external cleaning is particularly advantageous if the bag is filled with the detergent or the detergent and so far there are no wrinkles or inaccessible areas on the outer surface. The external cleaning can be carried out by the hose-like structure with a corresponding cleaning and / or rinsing liquid or a corresponding agent is applied, as is done in the course of the internal cleaning. This means that the cleaning agent and the rinsing agent are advantageously identical for internal cleaning and external cleaning.

Moreover, it is advantageous if the opening of the tubular structure is cleaned before its application to the treatment nozzle in a separate operation. Here, the invention takes into account the fact that the opening or the region of the opening, which is slipped on the treatment nozzle, in the course of the described interior cleaning process is no longer accessible, therefore, must be previously cleaned in the described separate operation.

In addition, the tubular structure usually has an inserted ventilation tube. This ventilation tube can be a tube which is already in the bag and serves to deliver the filled-in product medium in a ready-to-use state. In the simplest case, the tube is designed as a suction tube. Alternatively or additionally, the invention recommends at this point that the tubular structure is ventilated as needed.

Such aeration is usually recommended for every process of emptying. Because generally, the filled media (usually the detergent and the detergent) are removed by vacuum from the tubular structure or the bag. So that in this process, the bag does not contract, in particular in the area of its upturned on the treatment nozzle opening and thereby sealed, this must be ventilated in each case. This can be done via the ventilation pipe to be provided anyway or via a separate ventilation line, which opens into the hose-like structure.

After completion of the cleaning process, the tubular structure is either passed to a separate filling machine or - which is also possible in principle - the product medium on the treatment nozzle in filled the bag or tubular structure. The product medium may in principle be a liquid or a beverage, but also a dry medium, for example a dry powder, noodles or the like, which are filled into bags.

As a cleaning agent, a disinfectant such as peracetic acid or peroxyacetic acid has proven to be favorable. Of course, acetic acid or a peroxycarboxylic acid can generally be used. In any case, the rinsing agent or disinfectant acts strongly oxidizing and thus germicidal, especially during heating.

The use of hot water as a sterilization medium is also possible.

The suitability of peroxyacetic acid as a sterilizing agent in connection with the cold aseptic filling of beverages in plastic bottles of, for example, PE or HDPE is well known. The invention is based on this. As a rinse, the use of sterilized or distilled water is recommended. Both the disinfectant or cleaning agent and the rinsing agent or sterile water are each present in separate storage containers in order to be able to penetrate into the respective hose-like structure via the treatment nozzle.

The arrangement of the hose-like structure can be carried out both in a raised or upright position and suspended on the respective treatment nozzle. Of course, a mixed attachment is conceivable and is encompassed by the invention. The described cleaning is usually carried out in a treatment plant, as described in claim 11. This treatment plant can be designed as a rotary and / or linear machine. In the former case, the bags are continuously attached to a rotor and subjected to the described process steps, in particular the filling of the cleaning agent, the emptying, the filling of the rinsing agent and the subsequent emptying at different treatment stations in a row. However, it is also conceivable to represent these method steps in a linear machine. Then be the tubular structures are not guided in a circle, but rather from one treatment station to the next, wherein these treatment stations are arranged linearly next to one another or behind one another.

As a result, a method and an associated treatment plant are described, which allow for the first time a functionally appropriate and cost-effective cleaning of tubular structures, in particular bags and here preferably of disposable bags. In fact, the respective bag is first cleaned with a cleaning agent or disinfectant of any microbiological and other residues inside it and then prepared with the aid of a rinsing agent for the subsequent filling. Here are the main benefits.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 1 to 7 show the treatment plant according to the invention in different functional states.

In the figures, a treatment plant is generally shown, which is particularly suitable for cleaning hose-like structures 1, in the embodiment for cleaning bags 1, in particular disposable bags 1. For this purpose, the tubular structures or bags 1 are first placed once over a treatment nozzle 2 of the treatment plant. The treatment nozzle 2 is arranged in the embodiment and not limiting to a merely indicated rotor 3 and moves with this (in a circle) with.

In fact, several treatment stations are realized over the circumference of the rotor 3, on each of which different treatments of the tubular structure are made. In principle, however, the individual treatment stations could also be arranged linearly one behind the other, which, however, is not shown.

At its lower end, the treatment nozzle 2 each have a connection piece 4, which the fluid lines for connecting the Treatment stub 2 with the containers 5, 6 receives. It is particularly advantageous if the connections for the connections to the containers 5a, 6a which remove fluid from the tubular structure 1, below the connections to the containers 5b, 6b, which supply fluid are arranged.

In addition, it can be seen in the figures (storage) container 5, 6 on the one hand a detergent (container 5) and on the other hand, a detergent (container 6). In fact, two containers 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b are respectively realized at this point. In this case, the respective one container 5a, 6a is designed as a vacuum container, while the other container 5b, 6b is acted upon by an overpressure. In this way, the flushing agent or sterile water present in the container 6 as well as the cleaning agent or disinfectant in the container 5 can be filled in each case by overpressure in the hose-like structure 1 after opening associated valves 7a, 7b. In the same way, the cleaning agent and the rinsing agent can be removed via valves 8a, 8b by means of negative pressure from the tubular structure or pouch 1. It is additionally possible to detect pumps 9, 10 on the one hand in order to generate the required overpressure (pumps 10), on the other hand to generate negative pressure (pumps 9) in the respectively associated container 5b, 6b or 5a, 6a.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 6, it can be seen that the tube-like structures or bags 1 are generally conveyed from one treatment station to the next in an upright or upright position, in the embodiment rotating, because the one carrying the respective bag 1 Treatment nozzle 2 is attached to the rotor 3. Alternatively, but also a hanging attachment of the tubular structure or bag 1 according to the illustration of FIG. 7 is possible and conceivable.

In addition, the invention allows the tubular structure or the bag 1 can be cleaned not only in the illustrated treatment plant, but also a subsequent filling with a product medium (usually a liquid or a powder) takes place in the treatment plant. Alternatively or additionally, however, it is also possible that the bag 1 is passed after passing through the individual treatment stations to a filler, not shown, or a corresponding filling machine, in which the bag 1 is then filled with the product medium.

The procedure is as follows. In Fig. 1 shows the beginning of the cleaning process according to the invention. In this case, the tubular structure or the bag 1 with its opening 1a has been slipped over the treatment nozzle 2 already mentioned. Before or during this process, the area of the opening or the opening 1a has undergone a separate cleaning. For this purpose, a nozzle 11 is shown in FIG. 1, with the aid of which detergent or disinfectant has been sprayed onto the treatment nozzle 2, before the bag 1 was slipped over with the opening 1a. In this case, the detergent may originate from the pressurized container 5b with the content contained therein. In any case, the bag 1, and in particular the region of the opening 1a, has undergone its own cleaning before the subsequent steps.

It is also of particular advantage to also clean the interior and / or the exterior of the treatment nozzle 2 before the bag 1 is slipped on. Also for this cleaning of the treatment nozzle 2, the nozzle 11 can be used.

In this treatment station, the exterior of the bag 1 may also be cleaned. But this can also be done later. In any case, the bag 1 has been evacuated in the treatment station according to FIG. 1 and consequently contracts.

Subsequently, the bag 1 is transferred to the treatment station of FIG. 2 by means of the treatment nozzle 2 attached to the rotor 3. In this station, the bag 1 is completely filled with the cleaning or disinfecting agent. For this purpose, the pressurized container 5b is connected to the connecting piece 4 via the open valve 7b, so that the disinfectant can enter the bag 1. A merely indicated control system 12 ensures that the valves 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b and the pumps 9, 10 are acted upon accordingly. The control unit 12 also ensures that the disinfectant remains in the bag 1, taking into account a specific and specific treatment time. The treatment time depends on the degree of contamination, the material of the bag 1, its history, etc.

In addition, when filling the cleaning or disinfecting agent according to FIG. 2, the bag 1 may also be subjected to a mechanical shaking force, as indicated by an arrow P in FIG. 2. In this way it is ensured that the entire inner surface of the bag 1 is wetted with the cleaning agent and insofar adhering gas bubbles undergo a removal.

Subsequently, the bag 1 is transferred to the treatment position according to FIG. 3. The control system 12 now ensures that the valve 7b is closed and for the valve 8b undergoes an opening. That's how it works

Disinfectant withdrawn via the container 5a by means of the pump 9 to generate negative pressure. Following this, the bag 1 with the

Rinsing agent or sterile water according to FIG. 4 filled. But it is also possible to perform the filling and emptying with the disinfectant multiple times, so to go through the process sequence shown in Figs. 2 and 3 several times.

4 shows how the tubular structure 1 is filled after filling with the detergent with a detergent. The rinsing agent or sterile water in the exemplary embodiment is supplied by the valve 7a undergoes an opening which connects the pressurized container 6b, filled with the sterile water, with the connecting piece 4, so that the sterile water from this directly into the bag 1 a can occur. In this case, a complete filling of the bag 1 up to its nominal volume is not required. It is only important that the entire inner surface of the bag 1 moistened and any disinfectant thereon is rinsed off. In the next treatment station according to FIG. 5, the rinsing agent previously filled into the bag 1 is removed from the bag 1. For this purpose, the valve 8a is opened, which connects the local connecting piece 4 and consequently the bag 1 with the container under vacuum 6a. In this process, a slight ventilation can take place. For this purpose, a separate vent line 13 is shown in FIG. 5, which is equipped with its own valve 14, which in turn is connected to the control unit 12 and controlled by this. An alternative aeration of the bag 1 is shown in FIG. 6. Here, the bag 1 is equipped with an inserted tube or aeration tube 15, which also remains or can remain in the bag 1 according to the described cleaning method. In fact, it is possible to supply the subsequently filled product medium via this tube 15.

The ventilation described ensures that the bag 1 is not in the lower area, d. H. can contract in the region of its opening 1a and is thereby sealed. In any case, the ventilation ensures that the bag 1 undergoes a safe and complete and rapid filling in the described procedures.

In Fig. 7, a variant is then shown, in which the bag 1 undergoes a hanging attachment to the treatment nozzle 2. A filling can be carried out in the same treatment stations, respectively, with the same process steps as described above.

Claims

claims: 1. A process for cleaning, in particular internal cleaning, of flexible tubular structures (1), preferably of bags (1), with the following process steps: 1.1) the tubular structure (1) is slipped with its opening (1a) over a treatment nozzle (2); 1.2) the tubular structure (1) is first filled with a cleaning and / or sterilizing agent and then with a rinsing agent and emptied each time thereafter; 1.3) Finally, the tubular structure (1) is filled with a product medium. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular structure (1) is evacuated before each filling. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning agent and the rinsing agent are removed in each case by negative pressure from the tubular structure (1). 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cleaning agent and / or the rinsing agent, taking into account a respective specific treatment time in the tubular structure (1) remain. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the steps "filling the cleaning agent", "emptying" and "filling the Rinsing agent "are cycled several times. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tubular structure (1) with filled medium (cleaning and / or Disinfectant, rinse, product medium) is mechanically excited to achieve complete wetting of the inner surface. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tubular structure (1) during and / or after and / or before a Internal cleaning is also cleaned from the outside. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tubular structure (1) has an introduced ventilation tube (15) and / or is ventilated as needed. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the opening (1a) of the tubular structure (1) is cleaned before application to the treatment nozzle (2) in a separate operation. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the treatment nozzle (2) before applying the tubular structure (1) on the treatment nozzle (2) is cleaned in a separate operation. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the tubular structure (1) is fixed in upstanding upright position and / or hanging on the respective attachment piece (2). 12. Treatment plant for cleaning hose-like structures (1), in particular of bags (1), preferably for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 11, with a treatment nozzle (2), which circumferentially and / or linearly between different treatment stations is moved, and with reservoirs (5, 6) for detergent and detergent, each communicate with the with its opening (1a) on the treatment nozzle (2) slipped tube-like structure (1).